$50 traffic offences.

This was revealed yesterday when at least two people appeared in Magistrates' Court and claimed that Police, some in paddy wagons, were acting on arrest warrants and rounding up offenders at job sites.

One man even complained to Magistrate Edward King that he was taken from his job after work, put in a Police van, and taken to Hamilton Police Station.

Antonio Cavinato was yesterday fined $50 by Mr. King for disobeying a traffic sign on November 9, 1996.

After being fined, he told Mr. King that he was taken into Police custody outside La Trattoria Restaurant by three officers.

He complained of being put in a Police van "with wire around the window'' in broad daylight in front of customers and co-workers "like I'm a criminal''.

"It was very bad, I've never done anything wrong,'' Mr. Cavinato explained.

He also explained that he had paid the $50 fine some time back and kept the receipt for a long time before misplacing it.

Bermuda Sun business reporter Marina Esplin-Jones also appeared in the court for driving an unlicensed car.

Ms Esplin-Jones admitted to the offence which stemmed from an incident last June on Front Street, outside the Bank of Bermuda.

She was ordered to pay a $150 fine.

The Royal Gazette understands that Police also visited the reporter's office earlier this week with an arrest warrant.

However, a Police spokesperson yesterday defended Police's actions.

"There are over 1,400 outstanding warrants for arrest,'' she said.

"Police officers are duty bound to arrest someone if they are spotted. It is irrelevant if the arrest is made by a roving task force or a single foot patrol.''