DRUG traffickers will lose their passports under plans proposed by Drugs Tsar Keith Hellawell.

Launching his second national plan to fight drugs, Mr Hellawell said yesterday that courts should be able to confiscate passports following a conviction.

"If people are trafficking drugs and bringing them into the country, surely they should have their passports taken away," he said.

Paul Evans, Customs and Excise Chief Investigation Officer, welcomed the idea, saying: "I'm for any idea that makes life for the traffickers more difficult."

The proposal, being discussed by ministers and officials, was also backed by the Conservatives.

Cabinet Office Minister and Redcar MP Mo Mowlam, who has special responsibility for the fight against drugs and drugs trafficking, joined Mr Hellawell to launch the up-date of the Government's ten-year anti-drugs strategy.