FBI ASKED TO INVESTIGATE DALLAS DRUG BUSTS

The FBI has been asked to investigate about 60 drug busts by Dallas police
involving fake drugs, the Dallas County district attorney said Friday.

District Attorney Bill Hill said he is seeking the FBI's help because the
Drug Enforcement Administration announced Thursday that the agency would
not conduct a criminal investigation.

"These cases have raised questions in the mind of the public that reflect
not just on police procedures, but on the integrity of the entire criminal
justice system," Hill said. "It is essential to have an independent agency
involved so the results of the investigation will restore public trust."

The DEA, invited to join the investigation by Dallas Police Chief Terrell
Bolton, said it would only look into police policies and procedures. The
FBI typically handles cases involving allegations of public corruption.

"Anytime you arrive at where we are you have to be concerned," Bolton said
during a news conference late Friday.

He said the department pledges its support in the FBI investigation. He
said the help of the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service and the
Internal Revenue Service may also be needed.

"I want to assure the public this matter will be thoroughly investigated,"
Bolton said.

The district attorney's office is working to dismiss at least 59 drug
cases, some involving two Dallas police undercover narcotics officers, who
are on administrative leave, and at least one paid confidential informant.

Thirty-nine people had been arrested as a result of the 59 cases, and at
least three remain in custody. Several others have been deported.

Hill said the fact that he has asked for the FBI's help is not a reflection
on the Dallas police department.

"In fact, it is important to all concerned, including the officers, that
this investigation be conducted in a way that will produce results quickly,
fair to all concerned and results that are credible to the public," he said.

Special Agent Will Glaspy, a Washington spokesman for the DEA, said that
after meeting with police officials Wednesday, his agency might advise the
police department about how to improve drug investigations.

He declined to say why the agency had ruled out a criminal inquiry of those
involved.

Glaspy said members of a team of DEA auditors who specialize in management
issues would begin their review next week.

"It's just like a management review," Glaspy said in The Dallas Morning
News for its Friday editions. "We're going to look at their investigations,
their policies and procedures and see if we can make any recommendations."

Dallas police spokeswoman Janice Houston said the department would move
forward with an internal investigation.

Bolton has said the department was reviewing 70 narcotics purchases
initiated by the paid confidential informant since 1999 after tests on the
seized evidence found no drugs or only minute amounts of illegal material
contained in gypsum.