A major Police investigation is underway into the disappearance of heroin worth almost $600,000.

The 328 grammes of heroin, with a street value of $593,750, had been stored in the safe at the Supreme Court since the conclusion of a trial on May 12.

But on Thursday, drug squad officers discovered the heroin was missing when they called to collect the drug to destroy it.

Yesterday, Deputy Commissioner, Mr. Michael Mylod, said a task force had been formed with officers from C.I.D. and Narcotics to investigate the drug's disappearance.

And the National Drug Commission warned of a devastating affect on the community if it got onto the streets.

In a statement, Mr. Mylod said: "A quantity of heroin, which was an exhibit in a recent court case, is unaccounted for. It is not yet clear how, or from where, the heroin has gone missing.

"It is far too early at this stage to speculate on the whereabouts of the drug.

"I had discussions with the Chief Justice, as a result of which a task force has been formed led by Detective Superintendent Victor Richmond and they are conducting a full investigation into this matter.'' It is understood that the heroin had been kept at the court since the end of a trial involving Jeffrey Kwasi Osborne, 29, of Accra, Ghana.

His case finished on May 12, when a jury acquitted him of importing and possessing the heroin.

Last Thursday morning, Police officers were asked to collect exhibits from the court which were no longer needed as evidence. Among the exhibits to be collected was the heroin.

It could have disappeared at any time between May 12 and the last couple of days, but no explanation has yet been given to the Police and it is not known how often the safe is checked.

Supreme Court staff as well as the Police have access to the safe, which is on the ground floor of the building, but a key must be signed out first. It is not known how many keys exist for the walk-in safe.

Last night, Mrs. Sandra Bain, deputy chairwoman of the National Drug Commission, said she hoped there was a simple explanation for the disappearance of the heroin.

"Let us hope it's in a safe place that we just do not know about, I would not like to think otherwise,'' she said.

"If this got onto the streets it would have a devastating effect. Potentially it could do a lot of damage and the ripple effect could be tremendous.'' Last night, Ms Charles-Etta Simmons, the Acting Supreme Court Registrar, said she was taking statements from staff and denied the money had gone missing from the safe.

She had no further comment to make.