Bermuda's up-for-sale helicopter could be used by Police drug-busters in the hunt for international dealers -- if it stays on the Island.

And the former general manager of Esso Bermuda, Keith Hollis, yesterday called on five different Government departments to "club together'' to keep the helicopter in Bermuda.

Police narcotics squad head Chief Insp. George Jackson said: "I have used the helicopter on operations in the past and if the need arose, I would like to use it more in the future.'' He would not give details of the types of jobs the helicopter could do.

But he added: "It has been successful for us in the past. That is why we would like to use the helicopter again for anti-drugs operations.

"It is not my place to recommend the Police hierarchy should use the helicopter on a regular basis.

"It is all a matter of funding and available resources. But whenever the need arises, my department would like to use the helicopter for drug interdiction.

"Searches are more difficult on this island than in other places because we have such a small land mass. That's why the helicopter can be so useful.'' Michael Smatt, managing director of Bermuda Helicopters Ltd., revealed earlier this month that the 120 mph JetRanger was up for sale for $350,000 and its commercial flights licence had not been renewed.

Head of the Marine Police, Insp. Stephen Petty, has already said the helicopter is a vital weapon in search and rescue operations.

And Mr. Hollis, a consultant planning a $1 million oil spill exercise in Castle Harbour in May, said the industry needed a helicopter in case of a major disaster.

He urged Customs, Fisheries, Police, Tourism and the Rescue Coordination Centre, who all wish to use the helicopter, to join together with oil industry bosses to keep the aircraft on the Island.

It is understood the annual cost of the JetRanger, based at the Airport, is between $125,000 and $180,000.

Mr. Hollis added: "Maybe the best solution is for everybody who has a vested interest to club together and put up a retainer.

"I can no longer speak for Esso but I know the oil industry considers the aircraft to be a vital piece of equipment.'' He said Esso bosses used the helicopter to help clear up a minor oil spill at Coney Island in 1994.

Mr. Hollis added: "It would be a dreadful shame for it to leave. There is no fixed wing aircraft with a surveillance capability on the Island.'' Mr. Smatt said the chopper could be used "in any number of ways'' but year-long negotiations for a permanent deal involving the five Government departments had crash-landed.

He said: "There was a plane crash exercise at the Airport recently and helicopters are also needed to survey damage in situations like that.

"We have also helped the Police on drug interdiction missions in the past.

"We have asked Government departments to club together but each department seems to want to retain flexibility for its funds and they only want to use the helicopter on an ad-hoc basis.'' The helicopter, now being offered for sale around the world, has already attracted interest from the US, Canada and Japan.

But Tourism Minister David Dodwell has said Government could not launch a rescue package because the helicopter needs to be a viable private business.

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