marijuana on the recent trip to Malaysia be proven, those accused can be ever thankful they are not today rotting in a Kuala Lumpur hell-hole facing a 20 year sentence.

If the stories we have garnered from a number of very sound sources this week are true, then how fortunate police authorities didn't catch the culprits red-handed and the notoriously strict Malaysian magistrates aren't today mulling over a death sentence history shows they are not afraid to hand down.

Yes, those laws border on the barbaric, are draconian in the extreme. But nobody who enters Malaysia where, hardly surprisingly, drug use is not considered a major problem, is left in any doubt about the consequences should they be convicted of either smuggling or possession of illegal substances.

Huge notice boards outlining the penalties for drug offences greet arrivals at the airport, and airline pilots even make a point of forewarning their passengers of the dangers before landing.

The near catastrophic consequences of soccer's sad "Miami Seven'' affair, the shame that episode cast on every Bermudian and the damage it inflicted on a once impeccable sporting reputation, might not have bothered some of our cricketers one iota.

Unfortunately the BCBC, not for the first time, are being rather economical with the truth. Our reporters will tell you that having spoken to a number of players and others associated with the ill-fated Malaysian tour, there's more than a suspicion marijuana was smuggled into at least one of their plush hotel rooms and used.

It's a sad fact that, in Bermuda, drugs and sport are often inseparable, virtually synonymous. And maybe, just maybe, the apprehension of a Bermudian or two in Malaysia might finally have got the message through.

Yet somehow we doubt it.

For rather than tackle the problem head on, too many of our administrators and senior sports figures would rather turn a blind eye, orchestrate a cover-up to protect their own backsides, or simply ignore the problem and pray that it go away.

A very large advertisement taken out by the National Drug Commission and running in The Royal Gazette this week spells out in bold capital letters: "You Do Not Have The Right To Remain Silent''.

Below it tells readers: "The drug trade is destroying our community. If you know who is dealing in drugs, report it. It's your responsibility.'' Had it not been for the digging of a team of Royal Gazette reporters this week, in particular the irrepressible Colin Zuill, we seriously doubt whether this matter would have been brought to the public's attention. Pay no heed to what ZBM said on their newscast. They only got wind of the story from the BCBC after the governing body had been questioned by The Royal Gazette .

The squad arrived back more than three weeks ago, yet not a word has been uttered about events in Malaysia. Collectively, they apparently agreed to keep secrets -- their right to remain silent.

But as is so often the case, someone can't resist the temptation to tell a friend who in turn tells another. That, seemingly, is what has happened this week. And while we appreciate stories and rumours tend to be embellished every time they are repeated, on this particular issue there appears to be cause for serious concern.

Our team of reporters have spoken to a number of players off the record who, almost to a man, agreed that a `drug incident' did occur during their stay in Malaysia. Fearing reprisals, none wanted to be named.

But what we have been told is that BCBC chief Ed Bailey's suggestion that "the marijuana smoke detected may have come from nearby rooms of Bangladeshi or Fijian players'' borders on the farcical. If that was the case, what justification in setting up a board of inquiry to investigate the matter -- an inquiry, we might add, that was only announced after this newspaper had begun probing the drug allegations.

Both of our national sports are now tarnished.

To their enormous credit, Bermuda Football Association have done everything possible to rid the game of dealers, pushers and users and avoid a repeat of the "Miami Seven''. Sadly, the sweet-smelling aroma that wafts across many a pitch during the winter months, was again detectable in the season just finished.

But at least the BFA have made it clear to players the consequences should they dabble in drugs and be caught.

Bermuda Cricket Board of Control, we fear, have not followed suit. At least two players in the ICC party were known to have drug problems before departing for Malaysia. That, seemingly, was common knowledge. And if Ed Bailey and his fellow officials didn't know, they should have made it their business to know.

The team were travelling to Malaysia, a country where smoking a joint can lead to the ultimate punishment. Every conceivable step should have been taken to eliminate those who posed a threat.

It wasn't.

And if those who allegedly risked their lives, their fellow players' and Country's reputation and threatened to cast even greater shame on an Island with proud sporting traditions are indeed guilty, they can be eternally grateful they were caught only by those who seemingly didn't care in the first place.

Premier Pam Gordon has, quite rightly, indicated that Bermuda's participation in all international sports could be jeopardised if the latest allegations are proven.

That would serve as a huge injustice to the hundreds of talented athletes on this Island who strive for excellence without the use of drugs, whether they be performance-enhancing or social.

But, tragically, we've now reached a stage where too many of our so-called elite sportsmen and sports officials cannot be trusted.

See Editorial, Page 4