down on the docks.

Labour and Home Affairs Minister Quinton Edness said new booby-traps were being prepared for drug dealers with the US Drug Enforcement Administration.

He said: "Due to their sensitive nature, I cannot elaborate further in this forum.

"I can disclose, however, that more emphasis is being placed on drug interdiction on the docks.

"Cruise, freight and yacht traffic will be under increased scrutiny and narcotics officers will concentrate on drug importers now that uniformed officers are assisting with street drug crime.'' And he pledged state-of-the-art technology would be deployed to net drug dealers and suppliers.

Mr. Edness added: "We need the community's help here because many of these drug barons are well known in the community and their families and friends are benefiting from their crimes.

"We cannot be silent on this -- turning a blind eye to drug dealing is not acceptable. There are untold economic and social costs associated with drug crime and this type of crime is the major destructive force in our community.'' Mr. Edness was speaking as he unveiled his Ministerial Budget for the coming year in the House of Assembly.

He told the House the Police budget is to swell in the coming year, with a $3 million-plus boost to the Service's current account, taking it up to $33.4 million -- a near-ten percent boost.

In addition, St. George's Police Station will get a $100,000 facelift, as well as a rolling amount allocated previously for improvements at the force's Prospect HQ.

And an additional 15 officers will be released for beat duties under the ongoing civilianisation scheme.

The DEA joined forces with the Bermuda Police to mount the massive street drug-dealing clampdown Operation Cleansweep last year.

Mr. Edness told the House: "Our contacts with US authorities will be utilised in an attempt to identify and restrict the export of drugs from the US into Bermuda -- this is the greatest source of all drugs brought into the Island.'' He added research had shown that drugs -- apart from being a criminal activity itself -- generated up to 80 percent of crimes in other categories as well.

Mr. Edness also revealed provisional figures for drug seizures for 1997, with 4.3 kg of cocaine being taken, compared to 23.19 kg the previous year. Cocaine freebase amounted to 185 grams, down from the 1469 grams logged in 1996.

Heroin grabs accounted for 398 grams compared to just under 100 grams in 1996, while cannabis seizures totalled nearly 92 kg, compared to 107 kg the year before.

A total of 109 cases of importing or possessing drugs came before the courts in 1997. There were 31 convictions, with 78 cases pending -- and no acquittals.

Mr. Edness added: "The problems of drug abuse continue to be a blight on our society and Police work alone is not the solution. The community as a whole must be involved and we must educated everyone on the dangers of drugs.

"However, Government continues to allocate funding for equipment, training, intelligence gathering and manpower to aid the Police Service in this fight.'' Mr. Edness also said the new Stalking Act and Domestic Violence (Protection Orders) Act had already been used to target offenders.

And he said a Police/Social Work Department Domestic Violence Intervention Team was being set up to provide protection and follow-up to victims.

Crime figures for last year show a total of 3,273 crimes of violence, theft and breaking offences and vehicle removals.

There were 365 crimes of violence -- one for every day of the year -- and 1,677 thefts and break-ins, while 1,231 vehicles were stolen.

Mr. Edness said the provisional figures show an increase over 1996 -- but are well below those for the two years before that.

Ministry of Labour, Home Affairs and Public Safety 1998/99 estimates Ministry responsibility: To advise on the formulation and implementation of policy, to generally direct and coordinate the operations and the activities within the Ministry, including Labour and Public Safety.

Budget estimate: $52,380,000 (last year $47,195,000) Revenue: $15,195,000 Budget allocations Defence $4,520,000 Police $33,460,000 Immigration $3,206,000 Registry General $1,455,000 Labour and Home Affairs HQ $229,000 Fire Services $5,976,000 Security Services $152,000 Labour and Training $3,322,000 Legislative Affairs $60,000