Government Senate Leader and Attorney General Larry Mussenden said that the current penalties for drug abuse are not sufficient because drugs are still being imported to the Island.

The Misuse of Drugs Amendment Act was brought to the Senate yesterday. The 1972 Act sets out sentences of imprisonment or fines for drug trafficking.

?I must inform you that in the past three years only, Police and Customs have seized $80 million in drugs,? said Sen. Mussenden.

Sen. Mussenden said that one of the main aspects of drug trafficking involves the importation of drugs into Bermuda.

?The reward for taking part in the distribution of drugs is high and so must the risk of severe punishment on detection?.

In Magistrates? Court the new sentence will be ten years imprisonment and a fine of $500,00 or a maximum of three times the street value of the drug or whichever is greater or both.

In Supreme Court a fine of $1 million or three times the street value of the drug, whichever is greater. or both the fine and imprisonment would be the sentence.

There will also be a period of imprisonment in default of payment of fine.

If an offender is sent to prison for ten years and given a fine of $500,000 but cannot pay the fine, they will be given additional imprisonment time of four years making the total sentence 14 years.

Once the fine is paid the offender will be released from the default sentence.

Sen. Mussenden said anyone found with more than one gram of heroine and cocaine will be found guilty of with intent to supply.

If an offender is found with more than 20 grams of cannabis or 20 joints will be found guilty with the intent to supply.

More than four tablets or one gram of ecstasy is also considered with the intent to supply.

Sen. Mussenden also spoke about defendants who offer evidence against other defendants in drug related cases to be given a ?discounted sentence? and be referred to as a grass.

They would be entitled to a discount in sentence between 30 and 50 percent.

Sen. Mussenden said that Government wanted to send the message to drug dealers that if they deal drugs the penalty will be so severe that they will not want to do it again.

?It doesn?t matter if they are Mr. Small, Mr. Medium or Mr. Big. It doesn?t matter if they are black or white or what nationality they are.?

Opposition Senate Leader Kim Swan said Bermuda was turning a blind eye to the drugs culture and he attacked Government for sending a mixed message by refusing to submit to drug testing.

Independent Sen. Walywn Hughes feared linking sentences to the cost of the drug would publicise and glamorise the vast profits being made but he welcomed the tough new sentences.

Government Sen. Raymond Tannock said the new law was needed because drugs were destroying Bermuda?s culture.

He said: ?It hurts a little bit, it comes hard.?

Independent Sen. Carol Ann Bassett voiced her frustration that drug transactions went on openly without any challenge from Police.

She recalled being at Cup Match one year and passing a tent full of people billowing out cannabis smoke.

?A Police officer walked past the plume of smoke and went about his business.?

Government. Sen. Neville Tyrrell said: ?We know there?s a lot of money involved. This bill will certainly address that and take some of the money out of the system.?

UBP Sen. Kenny Bascome complained about the glamorisation of the drug culture on television.

He said even harsh punishment wouldn?t deter some. Senate President Alfred Oughton echoed Senators in welcoming the bill but expressed frustration only small fry ended up in court on drugs charges rather the ?middle men or Mr. Big?.