Government is not cutting back on foot soldiers in the war against drugs, Finance Minister Eugene Cox said.

But he admitted that a total of 15 temporary Customs officers devoted to catching drugs on cruise ships had gone as a result of cutbacks.

He was responding to questions from Shadow Finance Minister Grant Gibbons on Government's commitment to drugs-busting and Customs staffing levels at the docks and the airport.

Mr. Cox said: "The Customs Department has not cut the number of full-time Customs officers assigned to drug interdiction at Customs ports.

"In fact, we have increased the staffing level by four full-time, fully trained Customs officers dedicated full-time to drug interdiction activities at the cruise ship terminals.

Dr. Gibbons asked if Mr. Cox agreed that cruise ships were a major point of entry for drugs into the Island.

Mr. Cox said: "It is correct that cruise ships pose a threat for the importation of illicit drugs.

"Generally, it is the crew members and not passengers who are involved, however there have been incidents where passengers have been caught smuggling drugs.

"In order to combat this threat, Customs and Police work very closely with the cruise line personnel, with overseas law enforcement officials and with Crime Stoppers to interdict drugs entering Bermuda.'' Mr. Cox said -- prior to budget cuts earlier this year -- there were six Customs officers tasked with drugs-busting on the docks, as well as three Police officers and 15 temps.

He added: "At present there are seven full-time Customs officers assigned to drug interdiction at the cruise ship terminals. In addition, there are seven members of the combined Police and Customs teams assigned to cruise ships.

"Therefore there is a total of 14 full-time officers dedicated to drug interdiction at the cruise ship terminals.'' Mr. Cox added that there was no change in the number of permanent staff at the Bermuda International Airport.

He said: "However, there are now two combined enforcement teams assigned to the airport on a daily basis. These teams consist of five Customs and six Police officers.

"There are four Police and one Customs canine teams working with the various enforcement teams.'' He added the airport staff were backed by a Passenger Analysis Unit, with four Customs officers and two Police officers who target likely suspects using profiles.

Mr. Cox said: "This unit is being increased with the planned addition of Immigration officers and one more Police officer.

"The number of interdiction staff at the airport has therefore been increased by six with the assignment of an additional Combined Enforcement Team.'' DRUGS DGS CUSTOMS CUS