DRUGS TSAR TELLS CUSTOMS TO GO SOFT ON CANNABIS SMUGGLERS

THE government's drug tsar has ordered customs officers to take a
softer approach to cannabis smugglers.

Keith Hellawell has told them to concentrate resources against heroin
and cocaine.

The move was attacked yesterday by the former Grampian chief
constable, Dr Ian Oliver, but backed by some anti-drugs groups. "This
amounts to admitting we have lost the fight against drugs," said Oliver.

He added that Hellawell's directive appeared to be the first step
towards the legalisation of cannabis.

Seizures of heroin in the UK more than doubled last year, forcing the
customs service to revamp its approach to the fight against
large-scale commercial drug smuggling. Hellawell is demanding higher
priority be given to the search for Class A drugs such as heroin -
even if it means going soft on cannabis smugglers.

Customs and Excise has been given until March to work out exactly how
it will change its operations to incorporate the directive. The move
has divided the service and the Scottish police. Both Strathclyde and
Lothian and Borders Police have vowed to continue to target suppliers
of cannabis and anyone possessing the drug. A spokesperson for
Strathclyde said: "We are committed to upholding the law against all
controlled drugs, including cannabis."

Checked-by: Rich O'Grady