in Supreme Court that "Bermuda officials'' and a local lawyer were involved in an international drug trafficking ring, Commissioner Mr. Lenny Edwards said yesterday.

This is despite assurances from Premier the Hon. Sir John Swan that Government would fully back such an investigation.

"I want the community to know that Government will not tolerate anyone being involved in drugs -- at whatever level,'' Sir John said last night. "No one should be spared from our vigilance to stamp out drugs.'' Speaking at an afternoon press conference, the Commissioner also responded to claims that Police committed wrongdoings in drug investigations.

He said the allegations would be looked into. But he only knew of one so-called official who may have been involved in the conspiracy and he was already being questioned.

He disclosed the "official'' was an ex-Police constable who had served on the force for less than five years. "I'm afraid I don't know of any other officials,'' he said.

When pressed on the issue, Mr. Edwards refused to answer any further questions.

Mr. Edwards, who has held the post for eight months, said he wanted to assure the public he was a caring and responsible commissioner.

He said he watched in "horror'' as lawyer Mr. Archie Warner told reporters that Police administration had dealt with allegations of improprieties on the force in a "supercilious'' manner.

Mr. Warner had made the comments on Tuesday after his client Larry Ebbin was acquitted of drug importation charges.

He warned that unless Police looked into the allegations, the public might start thinking there was a "cover up''.

Mr.

Warner claimed during Ebbin's month-long trial that ex-narcotics officer Phil Swift had tried to sell defence lawyers information of Police wrongdoings committed in cases on which he worked.

The more serious of the allegations were that officers carried typewriters in their cars and simply filled in already-signed search warrants when needed.

Mr. Edwards said he did not know if the claim was true, because he did "not drive around in a narcotics car''.

The Commissioner acknowledged that "all types of things come up'' in major trials and conceded he was often surprised by them.

He further conceded that the public had been waiting with "baited breath'' to find out the identities of the "Bermuda officials'' and local lawyer.

Narcotics Det. Sgt. Arnfield had testified during Ebbin's trial that "Bermuda officials'' were involved in a Cuban drug smuggling ring that operated in the Island for a decade before being cracked.

He further testified that the local lawyer who first represented self-confessed drug courier Angela Trapasso "was involved in the conspiracy''.

A local member of the conspiracy himself testified narcotics Police had questioned drugs prisoners about lawyer and Opposition MP Mr. Julian Hall.

Sir John said the "broad-sweeping'' allegations in the trial had concerned him, but that it was up to the Police to determine if an investigation was warranted. "That is what we have a Police force for,'' he said.