Drug dealing in a problem area of Warwick has increased with the arrival of cruise ships -- after months of being curtailed.

That was claim yesterday of the parish's Ord Road and Spring Hill Against Drugs group.

But co-president Mr. Larry Franklin was reluctant to draw too many conclusions.

"All I am saying is there seems to be a correlation between the cruise ships coming and drug activity increasing in the area,'' he told The Royal Gazette .

The group has mounted a concerted offensive on drugs since being launched over a year ago.

It was formed amid a fanfare of publicity surrounding the arrival of American anti-drugs crusader Mr. Herman Wrice.

Shortly after its formation it was claiming dramatic success in combatting drug dealing in Ord Road and Spring Hill.

The group's tactics have included placard-waving marches, anti-drugs chants, and all-night vigils outside homes of dealers.

Mr. Franklin said the group, distinguished by white helmets, adopted a lower key approach now.

"When we started the neighbours were very understanding about what we were trying to achieve,'' he said.

"They didn't mind the marches and chanting. Now, however, we feel it wouldn't be right to continue in that way.'' Mr. Franklin said the group, which celebrated its first birthday in February, had lost none of its determination.

A hard-core collection of members maintained regular street vigils during the week on a shift basis. The sheer physical presence of the group was a deterrent to drug pushing.

Mr. Franklin said plans were still in hand for Mr. Wrice to return to the Island. "We are determined to maintain our momentum,'' he added.

Mr. Franklin was speaking after a special ceremony in Ord Road in which two $100 grocery vouchers were handed to Mrs. Gryneth Robinson, director of Families in Recovery Support Team (FIRST), and a counsellor and acting co-ordinator for Addiction Services.

The vouchers came from the proceeds of the group's first birthday dinner in February.

Mrs. Robinson said one would be given to a family in which the wife was having to cope with her husband's drug problems. "The other will be presented to a husband whose wife needs assistance,'' she said.

Mrs. Robinson said the identities of both families with FIRST -- an off-shoot of Addiction Services -- were being protected.

But she added: "None of those we are assisting are from Warwick. We are not selfish. Drugs is an Island-wide problem and we all need to join hands in fighting it.'' The ceremony, attended by a TV camera crew, was disrupted several times by the noisy antics of youths nearby. They shouted abuse, and some drove motorbikes across the road.

Mr. Franklin was dismissive about the behaviour, dubbing the youths attention-seekers: "If they get an audience they will play up.'' A Nordic Prince employee, charged with importing 178 grammes of cocaine, appeared in Magistrates' Court yesterday.

Norven Dacosta, 29, was not required to plead to charges that he imported the drug on Tuesday or that he was in possession of it with intent to supply. The drugs had a street value of $46,250, Crown Counsel Ms Sharon Kenny told the court.

Dacosta was remanded in custody for mention on May 29.