who use derelict buildings.

And officers could order bulldozers to demolish scores more -- because they are investigating 200 abandoned houses all over Bermuda.

Detectives teamed up with high-ranking Government officials to draw up a battle plan to bust the notorious drug dens.

Demolition experts destroyed the first identified crack house on Harlem Heights, Hamilton Parish, yesterday.

Now Police are appealing to landlords whose properties have been left to ruin to contact Task Force officers if they suspect drug dealers have moved in.

Insp. Stuart Crockwell, overseeing yesterday's demoliton job, said: "Today we have seen the destruction of a very profitable crack house in this area.

"It was used by dealers and users for many years and we have evidence that the stuff was being cooked to order there.

"We have taken it upon ourselves to cater to the needs of the neighbourhood and their concern was to eliminate that crack house to eliminate drug abuse.

"People from Warwick and Somerset were coming down here to buy drugs. Now we are drawing up a list of other homes throughout Bermuda which are being used as crack houses.

"We have already identified ten and there is a list of 200 derelict properties to go through.

"So this is the first of many.... there will definitely be more.'' One neighbour, who asked not to be named said: "We all clubbed together because this house was used for drugs for at least 12 years.

"People would come and go at all times of the day. And we were frightened to let our children out in case they stumbled across crack pipes or needles.'' Premier Pamela Gordon watched the demolition along with Home Affairs Minister Maxwell Burgess and Hamilton East election candidate Sen. Angelita Fox.

More crack houses to fall The Premier said: "There will be many more events like this. People do not need to live in fear any more.'' Mr. Burgess added: "Sooner or later we will get our hands on the drug dealers who operated from that house.'' Police joined forced with the Bermuda Housing Corporation, Works and Engineering, Planning, Addiction Services, Social Services and the Corporation of Hamilton for the demolition jobs.

But they insisted yesterday that any buildings found to be structurally sound would be renovated or rebuilt as housing.

Housing Corporation spokesman Geoff Gardner said: "Throughout the Island, our interest is in increasing the stock of housing, particularly for lower-income households.'' "We will be working right away to fix up many homes as long as we can get the co-operation of owners.'' He added that the Housing Corporation could arrange new financing or mortgage deals.

And Insp. Crockwell added: "If landlords own property that they haven't checked for a while and it may be in a derelict state or they suspect illegal activity, we're appealing for them to call 296-TASK and leave a message with the Task Force officers.''