Bush to head offensive against drug smugglers

Two sophisticated Navy radar planes and 280 extra customs officers will take part in a new offensive against drug-smugglers, US officials said.

Vice-President George Bush, head of a cabinet-level task force set up by President Reagan to try to curb the narcotics trade and related violent crime, was scheduled to visit Miami to discuss the new anti-crime offensive with local officials.

A US Navy spokesman in Norfolk, Va., said two E2C Hawkeye surveillance aircraft would be stationed indefinitely at Homestead Air Force Base south of Miami. Hawkeye crews should be able to provide 24-hour surveillance of south Florida and surrounding waters, officials added.