A MAN tried to fire a semi-automatic firearm at police officers who chased him down on Court Street yesterday.

The weapon failed to go off, the officers were unharmed and the 25-year-old man who pulled the gun was arrested. Last night the suspect was being detained in custody at Hamilton Police Station.

The incident happened after five police officers pursued the man from Dundonald Street onto Court Street, following an early morning narcotics operation.

Police spokesman Dwayne Caines said: "At 7.10 a.m., police were conducting a search under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1972.

"They noticed a man acting suspiciously on Dundonald Street. They confronted the 25-year-old Pembroke man and he began to run down Dundonald Street and onto Court Street.

"Police were in pursuit of the man and brought him down. As a result, he produced a semi-automatic weapon and tried to fire in the direction of the officers. Fortunately the gun did not discharge and the officers were able to subdue the man and put him under arrest."

Police seized an undisclosed amount of drugs in the operation as well as the gun.

The officers who were threatened with the gun were all wearing protective vests.

"The use of a firearm in this case highlights a very sobering reality," Mr. Caines said. "It is an example to the community at large of how serious this problem is. And if they know of anyone who has access to a firearm, they should contact the police or call Crimestoppers on 1-800-623-8477."

Mr. Caines added: "The Bermuda Police Service has high praise for those officers who, in the face of adversity, continue to perform their duty to protect and to serve our local community.

"We want to assure the community that we are committed to keeping the streets of Bermuda safe."

Mr. Caines added that the police's narcotics division was making "tremendous strides" in tracking down the island's drug traffickers, with the help of tips from the public.