a clear message that all is not well with the Island's main gatekeepers.

Those who marched represented half of the number employed by HMS Customs.

And at least two senior officers have claimed that not only are Customs officers working in cramped, unsuitable conditions at the airport, but understaffing has rendered thorough checks for duties and drugs virtually impossible.

The officers confirmed some of our greatest fears, stating: "It's easy to get drugs through... I go to places where they laugh at me saying `I got this through, I got that through'.'' "They put one inexperienced, untrained staff member on the night watch on cruise ships, but you can get 1,000 people coming off each ship at night. They come down the gangway in groups so you can't search them all.'' One of the officers also claimed that Bermuda was losing thousands of dollars daily because Customs did not have the staff to collect all the duties owed.

Collector of Customs Bill LeDrew has denied the claims, attributing the problems to a holiday backlog at a very busy time for the officers.

He has also promised that "over a period of time'' the officers' schedules will be brought "into check''.

However, one cannot help but wonder what impact the current situation will have on the officers and the Island in the meantime.

Whether we chose to believe Mr. LeDrew, the senior officers, or a Bermuda Public Services Association insider -- who earlier claimed that some Customs officers were keen on confrontation and determined to embarrass the department -- the outcome could be detrimental just the same.

With drug barons and couriers devising more clever ways to import drugs and residents becoming more creative in avoiding duty payments, Bermuda cannot afford to lower its guard. Or the Island, as pointed out in today's story, will be swamped with drugs and crime and drained of healthy revenue from visitors and residents.

As BPSA general secretary Ed Ball Jr. pointed out, the new Progressive Labour Party Government, Mr. LeDrew -- who is fairly new to the Collector of Customs post, and the new BPSA team inherited the problems facing Customs.

But what will the parties concerned do to rectify the situation? For if it is allowed to continue, we may all find ourselves working in poor (economic) conditions in a country where the main industry will be the drug trade.