Canadian William LeDrew will take over the post of Collector of Customs on Monday.

Finance Minister Grant Gibbons revealed last night that Mr. LeDrew had been handed a three-year contract to replace Gerry Ardis, who retired last September.

The position had been filled temporarily by Norma Smith.

But Dr. Gibbons said Mr. LeDrew would supervise a more modern, hi-tech Customs operation in Bermuda.

He said: "HM Customs in Bermuda plays a major role in the interdiction of drugs and other contraband and is responsible for a significant portion of Government's revenue through the tariff system.

"Customs operations are continuously changing and the department will be bringing into effect new working procedures and increasing its use and reliance on sophisticated technology. Mr. LeDrew's experience will be invaluable in managing these changes.

"I would like to thank Mrs. Smith for her very capable administration during this transitional period. I would also like to thank the staff of HM Customs for their support.'' Mr. LeDrew was previously Senior Customs Advisor to the International Monetary Fund in Malawi.

He was appointed Collector after interviews with the Public Service Commission.

Dr. Gibbons said Mr. LeDrew had 23 years' experience and helped begin a fundamental reform of the customs and excise administration in Malawi.

Mr. LeDrew, a married father-of-two, has also held senior positions in Winnipeg and New Brunswick and was Director General of Enforcement in Canada for six years.

The Finance Minister added that Mrs. Winniefred Fostine-DeSilva would adopt the position of Collector of Customs (Designate) later this month.

Former Collector Mr. Ardis retired after seven years in the hot seat last September.

He revealed that Bermuda's Customs officers had seized nearly a ton of drugs worth $66 million during his time in charge.

Mr. Ardis added 790 drugs smugglers and major traffickers had been arrested in the same period.

He said: "Our job is about enforcing the law and collecting money -- but to do this we need the willing acceptance and co-operation of the people of Bermuda, who we serve, and the business community alike.'' It is estimated that Bermuda Customs collects around one third of Government's total revenue.