Pubdate: Wed, 16 Jun 2004 Source: Cyprus Mail, The (Cyprus) Copyright: Cyprus Mail 2004 Contact: http://www.cyprus-mail.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/100 EXTRA PROTECTION FOR POLICE IN WAKE OF UNDERWORLD THREATS DRUG dealers have set their sights on taking out drug squad officers in an effort to control the market unhindered, Justice Minister Doros Theodorou was quoted as saying yesterday. The plans to kill officers were revealed to the Minister by an underworld figure, he told Simerini newspaper. According to the paper, Theodorou's source is privy to behind-the-scenes information. The minister said the source named a handful of hard drug dealers and which drug squad officers they have set their sights on - police officers who are a constant headache to the dealers. The informant could not rule out the possibility that the drug dealers' plans would be carried out by hit men, who would be recruited especially for this purpose from abroad. Asked to comment on the information, Theodorou told Simerini: "Threats were made against police officers, and plans to murder police officers were also drawn up which we know of. The information of plans to eliminate certain police officers was investigated, and as determined, had a basis. However, it was not possible to go ahead with arrests since there was not sufficient evidence and testimony to support such a case in court." Theodorou said the drug dealers who wanted the officers dead had already been placed under close surveillance in the expectation that they would make a mistake that would allow police to move in. As for the officers' themselves, they have been given additional protection, including patrols in their area of residence and highly trained officers to shadow them. Meanwhile, police said yesterday that in three separate incidents they had arrested three men on drugs charges. Two of the men, aged 38 and 26, were arrested in Paphos. Both were found in possession of a substance believed to be cannabis. The 26-year-old allegedly admitted to being a drug user. The third man, aged 41, was arrested in Nicosia. A search of his home uncovered a total of 640 grams of white powder in six separate plastic packages, as well as a half-smoked cigarette believed to contain cannabis, said police. - --- MAP posted-by: Derek