POLICE CORRUPTION PROBE NEARLY OVER

The Police are nearing the end of their probe into corruption
allegations made against narcotics officers.

The investigation was set up in September by Commissioner Jonathan
Smith after a member of the public pointed the finger at Police.

A police statement said: "The investigation into these allegations
continue. The Commissioner and other senior officers have been updated
on a regular basis on the progress that is being made.

"The investigation is in its advanced stages."

In September Mr. Smith said the investigation, which would lead no
stone unturned, was important to find out the truth to either clear
officers of unfounded and career damaging allegations or to curb
corruption. He promised that even if the allegations were unfounded he
would look to reduce opportunities for corruption.

And Mr. Smith said the service was still looking into whether to
re-open a 1990s drug trafficking money/laundering investigation.

It is alleged it involved a local lawyer, several local and
international companies and organisations and death row inmates. In
August Government House requested the Police Commissioner take another
look at the file.

Last month Acting Governor Tim Gurney said a recommendation has been
made by the investigating officer and a decision had to be taken on
whether to take further action.

On Thursday Mr. Smith said: "Technical aspects of that investigation
remain under review by the Bermuda Police Service.

"It is anticipated that we will be in consultation with the office of
the Director of Public Prosecutions on this matter.

"Sometimes with a highly complex investigation not only the
investigation takes time but also the technical review and
consultation can be protracted as a result."

The case resurfaced last summer after a retired Police officer wanted
to know why it had originally been dropped and subsequently ignored by
the serious crimes commission inquiry into the prosecution of serious
crimes, evidence gathering and the administration of justice which was
set up in 2000.

The officer said the case was the largest and most serious case
involving conspiracy, drug trafficking and money laundering ever
conducted by the Bermuda Police force and it involved America's Drug
Enforcement Administration and Interpol.

He claimed one of the reasons the investigation was dropped was
because it was getting too close to highly placed people in Bermuda
and the British Virgin Islands.

The officer said Bermuda had been keen not to attract the attention of
the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development which was
putting together a list of harmful tax havens and the Financial Action
Task Force which was compiling a list of places not co-operative to
fighting money laundering.