A Police narcotics officer accused of conspiring to import drugs walked out of court a free man yesterday after the Director of Public Prosecutions stopped the proceedings against him ? for now.

Clifford Stanley Roberts, a detective constable, was charged with five drug-related charges going back to 1999, including conspiring to import heroin and cocaine into Bermuda.

Yesterday, Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Vinette Graham-Allen exercised her right to stop the proceedings against Roberts regarding the drugs conspiracy.

Under the Criminal Code, the Attorney General or the DPP may make an announcement in open court that the Crown will not ?then? be proceeding further on an indictment then pending before the Supreme Court, Ms Graham-Allen told yesterday.

That means the accused is discharged, she said ? ?but such a discharge will not operate as a bar to any further proceedings on the same committal order within 12 months?.

Essentially, that means the Crown still has one year to charge Roberts with the offence. Ms Graham-Allen would not say whether she plans to bring charges against the 34-year-old officer within that time period.

Roberts? lawyer, John Perry QC, argued before Chief Justice Richard Ground that his client had a right to know why the proceedings against him were halted. However Ms Graham-Allen argued that under the law she had the authority to make such a move without giving her reasons.

Mr. Justice Ground agreed, saying his hands were tied. ?I cannot compel her to do so. I can do nothing,? he told Mr. Perry.

Roberts has been suspended from the Police Service since the charges were originally laid against him. was unable to obtain a statement from Police last night saying whether or not the officer will be reinstated to the Service.