Traffickers smuggling illicit goods into Bermuda will face a united front as the relationship between the Post Office, HM Customs and the Police Service was formalised yesterday .

A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed by Police Commissioner George Jackson, Collector of Customs Winifred Fostine DeSilva and Postmaster General George Outerbridge at the HM Customs Headquarters. Also in attendance was the Minister of Public Safety and Housing Senator David Burch.

According to Mr. Outerbridge, the Bermuda Post Office has always had a collaborative relationship with the Police and Customs when it came to assisting the departments with their efforts.

He added: ?We have been working together for years, but I have seen real improvements this year. Starting this year we have been checking everything that arrives at the airport and it all goes through the x-ray machine, which is part of the MOU.?

The Memorandum will provide tangible guidelines on how the Post Office, Customs and the Police will cooperate in the prevention of smuggling.

Mrs. Fostine DeSilva said: ?The MOU is really for the staff on the ground so that they know when the transition from the Post Office to the Police and to Customs needs to happen.

?These guidelines will help prevent more than just the importation of illegal drugs. It will prevent money laundering, the importation of ammunition, firearms and pornography, as well as protecting copyright material.?

The guidelines in the MOU also require an increase in security at the Post Office?s facilities, which means limiting access to the mail and surveying the systems already in place by the Police and Customs officers. According to Supt. Mike Jackman the Police will review the Post Office to ensure it is following the security measures.

The Sen. Burch added: ?I am a strong supporter of law and order. Drugs are a scourge to the community as is anything illicit. The agreement formalises what the three departments have had in a type of gentlemen?s agreement for the past 20 years.?

Mr. Jackson stated: ?We need to have cooperation so we don?t waste resources and that requires partnership. We are making it happen.?