Allegations of Police brutality which surfaced last week are now under consideration by the Department of Public Prosecutions, has learned.

As reported in a special feature last Friday, the case of three men charged with conspiracy to import $2 million worth of cannabis in October 2003 was overshadowed by the emergence of alarming allegations of violent beatings, threats and false promises on the part of several narcotics officers as well as the denial of access to an attorney.

Defence counsels Mark Pettingill and Richard Horseman also questioned why the three men were not booked in at Hamilton Police station until hours after their arrest, but were instead taken to the narcotics office at Prospect to be interrogated.

In his ruling on the matter, Puisne Judge Carlisle Greaves removed all statements extracted by Police from consideration in the trial, while delivering a damning indictment of their behaviour.

Nevertheless, former Dunkley?s Dairy employees Michael Madeiros, 41, and Steven Flood, 39, were unanimously convicted of the charges on Thursday while another man, Maurice Stovell, 32, was earlier released after Puisne Judge Carlisle Greaves ruled he had no case to answer. Photographs of Madeiros taken the day he was released from custody show extensive bruising to his face, side, back and buttocks. Narcotics officers testifying the Crown maintained Madeiros had sustained those injuries having fallen over while attempting to escape during a search of his home on Belmer Drive in Devonshire on October 24 2003.

In an embarrassing twist however, the Police?s own forensic expert, Dr. Valerie Rao, vehemently disagreed with their version of events, insisting the injuries could only have been sustained by repeated blows to the body.

And a internal Police investigation into the allegations ? conducted by Inspector Craig Morfitt ? has recommended the prosecution of several narcotics officers for assault and attempting to pervert the course of justice.

Police Commissioner Jonathan Smith yesterday declined to comment in any great detail on the alleged brutality, although he did confirm that Justice Greaves? ruling is being ?carefully considered? while also promising a review of Police procedures.

?Understandably, the Bermuda Police Service has to be somewhat cautious in any response regarding the allegations made during the recent trial,? he said.

?Cautious, because the matter remains within the jurisdiction of the Court. We can confirm that as a result of allegations being made that injuries were sustained by at least one person in custody, that an investigation was conducted. That investigation concluded in 2004 and we are in consultation with the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions regarding the investigation and the disposition of those allegations. Allied to those allegations were questions regarding certain procedures while a person is detained by Police officers. We are carefully considering the learned Judge?s ruling in this matter and will review whether those procedures are both adequate and in compliance with the legislation.?