A magistrate yesterday declared that "the war on drugs is on'' and he is "taking prisoners''.

"The war is on and we're told not to shoot them, but to confine them instead,'' Magistrate Edward King said while imprisoning a man who admitted possessing cocaine and cannabis. "We are now taking prisoners of war.'' Mr. King made the comments before sentencing 36-year-old Warwick man Steven Mansfield Dill to three months in prison.

Dill, of Cedar Park, admitted possessing 1.05 grams of cannabis, and four rocks of 100 percent pure freebase cocaine with a total weight of 1.08 grams.

When he heard the cocaine was pure, Mr. King said: "I can't even get pure water. That's good stuff.'' It was also discovered that Dill was out on bail during the time of the arrest. Crown Counsel Leighton Rochester said Dill had a history of previous drug offences and was on bail at the time of his August 27, 1996 arrest.

When Mr. King asked Dill if he had anything to say, he replied: "The drugs were for my own personal use.'' He also claimed he no longer used drugs.

Mr. King responded: "Thou shalt not use, handle, import, possess, or make drugs.'' He told Dill, referring to a recent case: "The boy with the $20 twist of cocaine got put inside (the prison), and you're going inside, too.'' He sentenced Dill to three months in prison for the cocaine and a one-month term for cannabis possession. The sentences are to run concurrently.

Earlier, Mr. Rochester said Police spotted Dill in a parking lot near the Spinning Wheel nightclub on Court Street.

Dill appeared to be engaged in a drug transaction, and appeared surprised when he saw Police, Mr. Rochester said.

He fled the scene, and threw a few objects to the ground.

The objects were recovered by Police and Dill was captured and arrested.

Officers discovered the recovered objects were five paper twists containing the drugs.