Twelve trainee officers have boosted the ranks of the customs team.

Clynae Burrows, Rickai Burrows, Joshua Fox, Michael Furtado, Shirieka Lambert, Larry Marshall Jr, Miguel Medford, Amir Ming, S. Jodi Simmons, Macio Talbot, Saleem Talbot and Anthony Zuill have passed the Basic Customs Officer Training programme.

The Department of Customs said the 12 trainee customs officers were the successful candidates out of 541 applicants.

For the past eight months they have undergone a rigorous on the job training programme, which included specialised training in preparation for the America’s Cup and the busy summer cruise ship season.

Next steps will be additional training which will culminate in final testing to be a confirmed customs officer.

National security minister Wayne Caines said: “On a daily basis, our customs officers are responsible for collecting revenue and protecting our borders, so it was extremely encouraging to see the addition of these new trainee customs officers to the ranks of the Department.

“The ministry has worked tirelessly in recent months with the Collector of Customs to fill a number of vacant posts in the Department.

“This is vital to the responsibilities Customs has in border control generally and for ensuring Bermuda passes muster in the anti-money laundering regime.

“This ministry will continue ensuring that the Collector and the Collectorate have the support and resources they need to carry out their critical duties.”

Collector of Customs Cindy Pearman said this year’s group of TCOs bring a range of experience to the Customs Department, with various individuals having worked in several career industries both locally and overseas.

Clynae Burrows was recognised for highest test scores, and Rickai Burrows for most customs seizures and drugs and commercial infractions. Those two officers and Shirieka Lambert and Miguel Medford received the Collector’s Commendation for Excellence Interdiction.