the Island.

Crown counsel Ms Sharon Kenny made the forfeiture application in Supreme Court before Puisne Judge the Hon. Mr. Justice Ground.

She said the money had been found in May, 1990, at the Smith's Parish apartment of convicted Cuban drug dealer Antonio Miranda, whose 20-year sentence was recently slashed to seven years by the Court of Appeal.

Miranda had worked as the "man in Bermuda'' for a massive cocaine ring which operated in the Island for a decade before being cracked. He pleaded guilty to importing and supplying cocaine at his May, 1991 trial.

His lawyer, Mr. Kim White, did not contest the application and Mr. Ground swiftly ordered the forfeiture of the cash.

The money, Bda$85,000 and $US42.00, will go into the Government Consolidated Fund.

Miss Kenny noted a total of some $100,000 in drug sale profits had been seized last year under Section 37 of the Misuse of Drugs Act.