By Craig Smith

FIFE POLICE have reinforced their commitment to tackling drug dealers while strongly denying suggestions of corruption among officers.

The force was recently accused in the media of not doing enough to address the drug problem, whereas a report also alleged that a small number of officers may have been taking back-handers from drug dealers.

But Detective Superintendent John Myles, head of crime management, stressed that the corruption allegation had been fully investigated and was “completely unfounded,” going on to underline the force’s pledge to face the drug problem head on.

“The men and women of the force drugs squad are committed to working long and hard to reduce the supply of drugs and in doing so, prevent loss of life through the use of these dangerous chemicals,” he said.

“We know we have the full support of the public in our work, and indeed most of the results have been achieved as a direct result of information from communities.

“Our greatest challenge is to turn intelligence from the public into evidence, either to be granted a search warrant or to get someone to court and secure their conviction.

“However I can assure all who pass information that this is reviewed on a daily basis and wherever possible acted on.”

Around £8.5 million in drug seizures has been made in Fife over the past three years, with Fife police reiterating yesterday that information from the public is vital to their efforts.

The fight against drugs has continued apace this year, with 2014 cannabis plants valued at £569,962 recovered following house searches across Fife at the start of 2007.

In February, public tip-offs led to the recovery of 20 kilos of cannabis resin with a street value of £100,000 in the Links Street area of Kirkcaldy.

Fife drugs squad mounted the largest operation to date the following month, which took five months to plan and involved over 130 officers.

Although the quantities seized during Operation Impact were not large, 26 street level drugs dealers were caught. Also in March, police netted cocaine with a value of £109,000 in east Fife and heroin valued at £34,450 in the Inverkeithing area.

Successes in May included a kilo of amphetamine worth £10,000 being recovered near Lochgelly; £24,580 worth of heroin in Leven; £25,610 of cocaine in Kincardine and two kilos of heroin recovered from a vehicle on the A92.

Since the beginning of 2007, drugs with street values of just under £1 million have been recovered, with almost £240,000 worth seized in May alone.

A total of £100,000 in cash has also been seized since April 2006

While Mr Myles said he understood the frustration of members of the public who do not see instant results after passing on information to the police, he said the results of the past three years more than highlighted the force’s commitment to tackling drug dealing in all its forms.

Anyone with information about drug dealing should contact Fife police on 0845 600 5702 or Crimestoppers 0800 555 111.