Desperate drug addicts are hiring out their cars for cash and narcotics, The Royal Gazette has learned.

Bermuda Police confirmed yesterday that they have recently become aware of the problem and want to crack down on it if criminal offences such as drug dealing are involved.

But since the law was changed in 1998, it is no longer illegal for a car owner to allow someone else to drive their vehicle.

Offences would take place, however, if owners are accepting drugs to hire out their cars.

Pembroke West Central MP Ashfield DeVent said the problem of addicts hiring their cars for cash and drugs had been going on for a long time.

Police spokesman Dwayne Caines told The Royal Gazette yesterday: "This is a growing phenomenon which Police are now being made aware of.

"Police are making inquiries with a view to finding out who these individuals are.

"It is not an offence under the law (to let someone else use your car) but if there are any criminal acts being committed with these vehicles, we will take a keen interest in that."

Mr. DeVent said: "It is nothing new, and it comes with drugs.

"It might be growing, however, as I believe we have a growing number of addicts, particularly using heroin and cocaine."

And he repeated his plea made recently in the House of Assembly for Police to close down crack houses which, he said, they were aware of but ignored.

"A growing number of my constituents have expressed concern about crack houses operating in their vicinity and they claim that when they call the Police, nothing is done.