dealers, Commissioner Colin Coxall told a meeting yesterday.

Mr. Coxall was answering a question from Hamilton Lions member Austin Thomas who demanded to know why drug dealers openly plying their trade were not arrested.

The Commissioner said resources were part of the problem but added that the narcotics division was being strengthened and that areas were even been cleared of trees where dealers sheltered.

Last night Mr. Thomas, a former PLP MP, said he was not satisfied by the Commissioner's answer to his question.

"He said there was a manpower problem, but I was not satisfied with that because the problem has been going on for too many years,'' said Mr. Thomas.

Mr. Coxall was speaking to the Hamilton Lions Club yesterday when he was tackled by Mr. Thomas.

"I said that there are several locations around Bermuda where youths hang out and openly market their drugs,'' added Mr. Thomas last night.

"Many of these people are known to the Police as drug traffickers and the communities where this goes on have called the Police over many years. Some of these people carry on their trade with impunity.'' Mr. Thomas said he appreciated that in the past Police officers did office jobs rather than fought crime and that something was now being done to return officers to the streets.

"But this problem is persisting for too long and many neighbourhoods cannot understand why it is not being cleaned up.

"Some people are even putting furniture in the street and openly plying their trade,'' said Mr. Thomas.

Mr. Coxall told the Lions that resources were part of the reason, but he said the narcotics division is to be strengthened to about 35 officers -- almost treble the number he inherited.

In addition to more officers the narcotics division will also have better technology to help fight the drug problem, said Mr. Coxall.

He added that Works and Engineering staff had cut trees and bushes where dealers sheltered in Somerset and other areas thus robbing them of a hiding place.

"There is a need for more targeting and focus on these drug areas and it is my intention to do that,'' said the Commissioner.

However he added: "I would call on the community to show its condemnation of these people. I am sure all these young drug dealers in Somerset are known to the local community.

"I know they are known to the local community and the local community must be issuing its condemnation.

"There should be a strong push from the community indicating that this form of conduct is not acceptable on this Island. We will do our part, but the community must do its own part.''