DRUG SQUAD WANTS END TO INQUIRY

Drug squad detectives are threatening to stop arresting alleged amphetamine
and ecstasy traffickers until corruption allegations being investigated by
an internal taskforce are completed.

But the ethical standards inquiry, codenamed Ceja, is to be extended
following fresh allegations of illegality in the squad.

Drug squad detectives met last month to consider postponing planned arrests
because they believe court cases will not proceed while the corruption
claims remain unresolved. The proposal put to the meeting was that
detectives continue gathering evidence but to delay final raids until the
Ceja taskforce has completed inquiries.

The Director of Public Prosecutions has already adjourned six complex drug
prosecutions because of drug-squad corruption claims.

On Thursday in the Wangaratta County Court another case involving the
discovery of an alleged amphetamine laboratory in Beechworth was adjourned.

Taskforce Ceja was set up late last year and was expected to complete its
investigations by Monday. It has been extended until at least the end of
the year.

The corruption investigation began by looking at cases involving two
detectives arrested last year. Detective Sergeant Malcolm Rosenes and
former senior detective Stephen Paton have been charged with drug trafficking.

But the taskforce is now looking at up to 60 corruption claims including: A
well-known amphetamine dealer was protected by drug squad detectives in
exchange for information. He was later arrested by country police.

* Chemicals used in sting operations were stolen and sold.

* Evidence and cash were planted at the homes of suspects.

* Informers were paid with amphetamine chemicals for information.

* Some police have been using recreational drugs.

Internal investigators have been told that detectives took a well-known
drug dealer to a park for 40 minutes after he was raided. When they
returned police found several thousand ecstasy tablets similar to those
found in a raid months earlier. Another allegation was that police planted
500 grams of amphetamines and $52,000 inside the house of a career drug dealer.

Chief Commissioner Christine Nixon is committed to introducing alcohol and
drug testing.

Ms Nixon said yesterday detectives in the major drug investigation division
were professional and committed to pursuing and arresting people involved
in the manufacture and distribution of drugs.

She said the division had been successful in targeting drug rackets in
Victoria, with 27 clandestine laboratories and 182 people arrested in
almost 12 months.

Ms Nixon said major drug investigations remained a priority for Victoria
Police and promised to continue targeting drug manufacturing and
distribution in Victoria. Police Association secretary Paul Mullett said
the allegations against drug squad members should be investigated quickly.
"We do not support corruption but it is time to put up or shut up," he said.