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Major Narcotics Investigations

The associated pages deal with the Narcotics department's major investigations of 1990.  The enquiry was undermined and effectively collapsed.  Aside of the two American's who entered pleas of guilty (Mr Miranda and Miss Trappasso) there were no convictions in the major trial (those who were convicted were later freed on appeal).  Dexter Dillas, associated with the investigation was subsequently convicted following an associated arrest.

The events occurred over 10 years ago, but they were very important and quite rightly have been resurrected.  Will the Commissioner have the resolve to investigate the matters raised?  The article below appeared in the Royal Gazette 30th March 2002.  Ten years on and the problems of 1990 remain just as pertinent and important:

Royal Gazette March 2002
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.

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