The collapse of the drugs case against Ellsworth Wilson appeared to be "a huge conspiracy'' in which some people took part without knowing it -- and it was all "to the good and wellbeing of Mr. Wilson''.

Lawyer Richard Hector -- who represented the Police Association during -- made this point after a Commission of Inquiry into the Police narcotics squad wrapped up its hearings yesterday.

The commission was set up in the wake of allegations by ex-drugs squad detective Lendrea Davis that other officers had pressured her to alter her notes to match those of other officers.

Following news of the allegations -- and revelations that drugs allegedly seized from Mr. Wilson had not been properly signed in or logged -- the case was dismissed.

Mr. Hector noted that Mr. Wilson's defence counsel had been tipped off in advance of the trial that Ms Davis' evidence was going to inconsistent with her then-colleagues.

Mr. Hector said: "That is a circumstance which the Commission must look at because it might explain a number of things.'' And he added Ms Davis had "left in her wake a number of things which can't really be explained''.

Mr. Hector said the motives of the participants in the affair had to be closely examined.

He said Det. Con. Rudolph Richardson's alleged efforts tohave Ms David change her statement was "negligent, perhaps stupid'' -- but asked what he could have hoped to achieve by his actions.

He said one reason for the saga could have been that the officers based their diary notes on the search notes taken by Ms Davis and that witness statements were based on the diary -- but if doubt was cast on the first link in the case it could cast doubt on the rest.

He added that it was also possible, given poor working conditions and the stress of the job, that officers "could cut corners''.

Mr. Hector said the massive Force Standing Instructions needed to be looked at: "If you have rules which are not going to be adhered to because particular actions are going on, then the instructions are of no value.'' He added that instructions on how searches should be conducted and how exhibits had to be handled and registered should be made clearer. What should be in case files should also be laid down, he said.

Mr. Hector that everybody who gave evidence was not telling the truth -- the question was their motives and whether it was "negligence'', an "intention to subvert the course of justice to benefit someone or people who were negligent because they are carrying out policies as consequence of having to work under very strained circumstances and work long hours.'' "By accident or design'', a number of people had contributed to Mr. Wilson's acquittal, he said, adding that one interpretation of the evidence could be that "Ms Davis is not as innocent as she portrayed herself''.