FORMER DRUG SQUAD DETECTIVES ON TRIAL

TWO former drug squad detectives faced court yesterday over claims
they ran a $1.5 million heroin ring.

Sen-Det Glenn Sadler, 40, and former detective sergeant Stephen Cox,
42, are accused of conspiring with a third policeman to traffic
heroin between mid-1999 and late 2002.

Sen-Det Sadler and Mr Cox sold about 10kg of heroin with a wholesale
value of $1.5 million to a drug dealer over that period, a Victorian
Supreme Court jury heard.

Prosecutor Michael Tovey, QC, said Sen-Det Sadler received payments
of more than $100,000 during the 2000-01 financial year while Mr Cox
received $30,000 that could not be accounted for.

Sen-Det Sadler received a $60,000 Toyota LandCruiser from the third
officer, who bought himself a LandCruiser and installed a swimming
pool at home, the court heard.

Mr Tovey said the drug dealer, who cannot be named, would give
evidence he was approached by the policemen in 1999 to sell heroin for them.

Sen-Det Sadler and Mr Cox have pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to
traffic a commercial quantity of heroin.

Defence lawyers have yet to deliver their opening statements.

The trial continues today before Justice Stephen Kaye.