Pubdate: Sun, 8 Nov 1998 Source: Scotland On Sunday (UK) Page: 1 Contact: Neil Mackay DRUGS TSAR TELLS CUSTOMS TO GO SOFT ON CANNABIS SMUGGLERS THE government's drug tsar has ordered customs officers to take a softer approach to cannabis smugglers. Keith Hellawell has told them to concentrate resources against heroin and cocaine. The move was attacked yesterday by the former Grampian chief constable, Dr Ian Oliver, but backed by some anti-drugs groups. "This amounts to admitting we have lost the fight against drugs," said Oliver. He added that Hellawell's directive appeared to be the first step towards the legalisation of cannabis. Seizures of heroin in the UK more than doubled last year, forcing the customs service to revamp its approach to the fight against large-scale commercial drug smuggling. Hellawell is demanding higher priority be given to the search for Class A drugs such as heroin - even if it means going soft on cannabis smugglers. Customs and Excise has been given until March to work out exactly how it will change its operations to incorporate the directive. The move has divided the service and the Scottish police. Both Strathclyde and Lothian and Borders Police have vowed to continue to target suppliers of cannabis and anyone possessing the drug. A spokesperson for Strathclyde said: "We are committed to upholding the law against all controlled drugs, including cannabis." - --- Checked-by: Rich O'Grady