Phone tap may reopen probe into DrugsSquad

ROBERT MARK, the Metropolitan Police Commissioner, may re-open the inquiry into the former head of Scotland Yard's Drugs Squad, Detective Chief Inspector Victor Kelaher. Kelaher left the Squad more than 18 months ago and was reassigned to regular duties. At the same time several of his col. leagues were taken off the Squad and its size was cut In a major investigation known that Prescott's report published yesterday, "The went to the highest authorities Sunday Times' INSIGHT in the land—Maudling, Sir team says that the Customs Philip Allen, permanent secreand Excise investigations tary at the Home Office, Sir John Waldron police Com- the former branch had considered charging Kelaher as a party missioner, Robert Mark, the to a drugs smuggling con- new commissioner, deputy assistant commissioner Richard Chitty, and Sir Norman SkelBut in May this year, follow- horn, the Director of Public ing a long inquiry by the then Prosecutions. No charges were assistant chief constable of made. cott, Lancashire, Director of Public Mr Harold Pres- But INSIGHT has now revealed the existence of tape Prosecutions decided not to recordings of conversations lay charges against the ex-drugs between Basil Sands, one of the jailed defendants, and Kelaher's name was placed Kelaher. But throughout the under a cloud during a lengthy trial the Customs men were trial at the Middlesex Area under instruction not to menSessions during June and July tion them.

Following "The Sunday At the end of the trial four Times' revelations there is men and a woman were con- certain to be mounting presvicted of a drugs conspiracy sure for a re-opening of the and sentenced to jail terms of Kelaher case. froThey were accused of conspiring to import or acquire possession of 24lb of cannabis.

On the London market this Greater London Rally would have been worth some CELEBRATE £5,000. Kelaher appeared as a puted throughout that he had witness in the case and dis- 3rd Anniversary anything to do with the drugs of Workers Pres Defending toid the jury Build the that Kelaher corruptly involved with one of the defendants 41-year-old club owner Basil Sands, who was described as I cannot tell exactly what SUNDAY NOVEMB their purpose was, said Mr Lloyd Eley, 'I can only tell you it was concerned with their Porchester Hall obtaining . . • cannabis for Queensway, W2 their own purposes. The PREMIERE obvious inference is that it was to be sold and the pro- showing of a ceeds shared in some way