There were fewer drug crimes reported last year than the year before, while around $52 million-worth of narcotics was taken off the streets.The news was revealed in statistics released yesterday by the police.They showed that 848 drug offences were reported last year compared to 980 the year before.However, the past two years still outpaced 2008 and 2009, which recorded 372 and 513 crimes respectively.The police made 647 arrests last year in drugs cases; 96 for importation from overseas and 551 for local drug offences.Police Commissioner Michael DeSilva said: “Drug seizures in 2011 were once again significant, with a total of 351 kilograms of controlled drugs being recovered during the year with an estimated street value of $52 million. Interdiction at the ports of entry by the Customs department accounted for 87 percent of the value of seizures.”Cannabis was the most common drug confiscated by the police last year, followed by cocaine.Mr DeSilva said: “The seizure of 180 kilograms of cocaine is exceptional and represents increased maritime interdictions with Customs as well as overseas agencies.”The annual crime statistics report stated: “The Bermuda Police Service continues to work with its partners both locally and overseas to disrupt the trafficking of controlled drugs. These partners include HM Customs Bermuda, US Customs and the US Drug Enforcement Administration. Despite these partnerships, controlled drugs are still entering Bermuda, which is evidenced in the number of street level drug seizures.“The majority of drugs seized in 2011 were at street level (681) while there were 177 seizures at ports (including LF Wade International Airport) and 21 overseas seizures which involved overseas law enforcement agencies.”