DETECTIVES ON DRUG CHARGES

THREE Brisbane detectives have been charged over a police corruption
scandal involving the alleged supply and distribution of drugs to
local nightclubs.

The Criminal Justice Commission arrested the trio, two of whom were
attached to the elite crime operations group, during several raids on
Thursday night. It is understood that more police officers may be
charged in relation to drug offences as part of an ongoing operation.

Five hundred ecstasy tablets, steroids and thousands of dollars in
cash were seized in raids on the officers' homes.

The CJC also raided offices at Brisbane's Roma Street police
headquarters and the Wynnum police station.

Detectives Gregory Lee Catton, 27, Peter Reid, 43, and Gerrard Patrick
McArthur, 27, yesterday entered no plea in the Brisbane Magistrates
Court and were remanded on bail to appear on March 3.

It is believed the officers have been suspended with two weeks'
pay.

Catton, a Sex Offenders Squad officer, is charged with three counts of
official corruption, three counts of supplying a dangerous drug, one
charge of possessing a dangerous drug and one count of possessing
tainted property.

Reid, a former undercover officer and drug squad member, was also
charged with supplying a dangerous drug and possessing tainted property.

McArthur, based at Wynnum CIB, faced two counts of official corruption
and a stealing charge.

A fourth man, not a police officer, has been charged in connection
with the covert operation.

The CJC said Joshua Christian Sexton, of Cleveland, faced several
charges of supplying a dangerous drug.

It is understood the CJC is reviewing all past investigations relating
to drug seizures that the detectives were involved in over the past
three years.

Pending prosecutions in which the detectives are due to testify also
may be jeopardised.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Russell Reynolds yesterday opposed a bail
application by the trio, saying the charges were made more serious by
the fact those involved were sworn officers.

"They are sworn to protect the public against these types of heinous
offences," Sgt Reynolds said.

He said, if proved, the charges were a serious breach of the public's
trust.

Sgt Reynolds said it would be alleged the three were involved in
long-term substance abuse and that one of the trio had received up to
$12,000 in cash.

CJC investigators had initially suspected illegal drugs may have been
stored at Brisbane police headquarters.

It is understood the headquarters had been under extensive
surveillance before Thursday night's raids. Investigators are believed
to have accumulated the bulk of the evidence against the three
officers in the 24 hours before the raids, which concluded about 3am
yesterday.

CJC sources said other civilians, possibly drug dealers, could face
charges as part of a clean-up operation.

Commission chairman Brendan Butler said the CJC had concluded a
complex 12-month operation.

"One of the drug charges relates to the supply, by a police officer,
of approximately 500 ecstasy tablets. That is an offence that attracts
a maximum penalty of 20 years' imprisonment," Mr Butler said.