international drugs smuggling ring.

The seven, four men and three woman, were all picked up in Police swoops over the weekend. Yesterday a Police spokeswoman said: "Local narcotics officers were able to effect a number of arrests over the weekend in connection with the New York cruise ship drug ring.

"Seven persons -- all Bermudians -- were arrested at various points around the Island between Saturday morning and Sunday evening. The investigation is continuing.'' The arrests mark the culmination of a two year long operation by Bermuda Police in conjunction with US narcotics officers. Last week 13 Jamaicans working on cruise ships that regularly visit the Island were arrested and are now in custody in New York.

Operation Bermuda Triangle cut off up to half of Bermuda's drug supply using wire taps, undercover officers posing as drugs customers and monitoring suspects' telephones.