against West Indian national teams have failed a test for illegal substances, The Royal Gazette has learned.

The news comes after the newly installed Bermuda Cricket Board of Control's promised a crackdown on drug use at the national level.

It is understood that both players concerned have been taken off the squad, throwing selection plans for the upcoming Red Stripe Bowl Championship in Jamaica into chaos.

The news comes just months after allegations of marijuana smoking in Malaysia during the ICC Trophy Tournament this year.

The previous administration, headed by lawyer Ed Bailey, was heavily criticised for not drug testing players prior to travelling, despite promises to the contrary.

The Red Stripe Bowl is due to begin two weeks from today, pressuring the BCBC into a contingency plan.

Board president El James refused to confirm The Royal Gazette's findings when questioned yesterday, saying that confidentiality was paramount on the drug-testing issue.

It is understood that as many as four changes to a squad of 18 -- 14 of whom will travel -- are due to be made when the selectors meet for the final time early next week.

To that effect, an SOS call has been put out to as many as five players who were initially out of the picture. And they, too, are subject to drug-testing.

"In cases when a player is not available or has tested positive for drugs, it's not our intention to let the public know. We simply cannot do that because it's not our policy,'' said James.

"All I can say is that if a player is found to be positive for drugs then we will work with him in a bid to get his life in order.'' Three weeks ago, The Mid-Ocean News published a squad of 14, plus two stand-by players, who were said to be initially picked for Bermuda's second entry into the tournament.

Whether the paper was right or wrong, the training squad was trimmed from its original strength of 34 after which drug-testing took place. Mr. James said: "Although a team has been published in various newspapers, the fact remains that we haven't announced any official team and therefore I am not in position to speculate about who is in or out and for whatever reason.

"We are now trying to get players released from their jobs and we are also going through the drug-testing process.'' DRUGS DGS