17 CRACK HOUSES TARGETED BY AG

Drug dealers operating out of 17 crack houses on the Island have been
given warning that their days are numbered.

Attorney General Larry Mussenden said Police have identified the drug
dens and will work hand-in-hand with a grassroots community movement
to target dealers and close down their operations.

And any law enforcement or Customs officers, Government official or
politician who is found to be turning a blind eye to the trafficking
of drugs on Island will be dealt with through the courts.

Sen. Mussenden pledged action as he responded to the words of Imam
Yah Ya Abdullah, who delivered a speech at the Bermudians Against
Narcotics community awareness day rally.

In the middle of Court Street, an area that has been blighted by drug
dealing, the visiting Imam from the US told an audience that in south
Dallas the community had risen up against the drug barons and run
them out of town.

He said the Dallas area's 64 crack houses were run by the feared
"Jamaican Posse" but that had not dissuaded a coalition of
Afro-Americans and Muslims from naming and shaming the drug pushers
by broadcasting their names on the radio and television.

"We had the courage to call them out. We put their names on radio and TV.

"We went to the neighbourhoods and we went to the crack houses and
told them if they didn't stop we would put their names on the TV,"
said Imam Abdullah.

"It eradicated a tremendous amount of the drug dealers and users and
it is something that can happen here in Bermuda."

He said it is the criminals and the drug dealers who should be afraid
to walk the streets.

He added: "Court Street should belong to the righteous people. Drug
dealers should be afraid to come out on Court Street because there
are so many good people who say ‘No, you are not allowed to
sell drugs to our children or our babies. We are not allowing you to
destroy the life of young Bermudians'."

And he warned that those in authority should be brought to account if
they are found to be assisting the drug trade by turning a blind eye.

"Someone at the top is looking the other way, allowing drugs to come
to the Island and destroy the young Bermudians.

"Are there politicians, those in authority and law enforcement
officers turning the other way? Drugs are coming in from the ships
and the planes. Someone is getting rich at the expense of your children."

Sen. Mussenden responded immediately telling the audience that 17
crack houses have been identified by the police and, working with
BAN, that information will be shared: "So that we can shut them down,
stop people buying and selling drugs in those neighbourhoods."

And he warned: "If there is anyone in the Government Services, or in
Bermuda, turning away from their duties (to stop drug trafficking)
they should be sitting in the dock at the court. It doesn't matter
who they are, if they are dealing in drugs they should be dealt with
by the Police."

The one-day awareness rally was held on an open lot opposite The
Spinning Wheel club, and saw a number of speakers from individuals
and organisations with experience of the drugs problem, to
politicians and high profile community members.

Minister for Finance Paula Cox said money taken from those prosecuted
for drug crimes will be used to help rehabilitate drug users, and
added that the Island's drug problem is not restricted to Court
Street or other small neighbourhoods.

"We recognise drugs is linked to money and you have to follow the
money trail. It is not just something confined to the back of town," she said.

Minister of Community Affairs and Sport Dale Butler said his
Government colleagues will give their backing to any step to combat
drugs in Bermuda, while PLP Senator Walter Roban referring to nearby
Alaska Hall, said: "We as a party must play a bigger role because
this problem is right outside the front door of our headquarters."

He said the recent appointment of Wayne Perinchief to head a new
National Drug Control Ministry was part of the Government's renewed
effort to do something to address the issue.

Bruce Simons said the Uptown Market Association would take drugs
tests to show that they are drug free.

During the day the tented seating area over-spilled as more than 200
people attended at some stages of the event, according to BAN
co-founder Clinton Muhammad, who said afterwards: "We had a wonderful
response and we had Government officers from both sides giving us 100
percent backing, and we have had calls and calls from people.

"We will be going to St. George's and we will set up a hotline and
work with Mr. Perinchief."