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11 November 2009
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fictional policemen in the 1970s

Operation Julie

In March 1977 the largest drugs bust in history cracked a drugs ring based near Tregaron. Six million tabs of LSD were recovered by the police and120 people were arrested throughout the UK and France. Stashes of LSD worth £100 million were also unearthed and £800,000 in money was discovered hidden in Swiss bank accounts. Eventually17 defendants were jailed for a total of 130 years in the wake of the investigation code named Operation Julie:


The making of a myth

Lyn Ebenezer remembers how locals perceived the operation in 1977.

Undercover cop

Noir Bowen reveals the unglamorous side of working undercover as part of the Operation Julie team.

Cracking the ring

Former DI, Dai Rees on the moral reasons behind cracking the drugs ring.

Operation Julie

Watch a BBC documentary about the operation made in 1978.

your comments

milton keynes
What a waste of time considering the weekly destruction that alcohol brings to our towns a nd cities every weekend.Used responsily lsd is a mind expanding substance that can help mankind and also has medical benefits.Such as for the treatment of alcoholism and cluster headaches and ocd.Shame on you operation julie
Tue Apr 7 15:22:28 2009

JP McDonnell, C. Valdense, Uruguay
I find it pleasing that the BBC seems to have lost its ability to count. You say "Eventually17 defendants were jailed for a total of 130 years in the wake of the investigation code named Operation Julie:" which is strange as 34 people were remanded at Swindon magistrates and 34 people were sent to prison during the 2 Julie trials held in the Old Council Chambers at Bristol because 34 defendants were too many to be handled in a single trial. The BBC was kind enough to extend its 9 o'clock news by 15 minutes to tell the people what an evil scumbags we were yet you have now written 17 of us%! 20out of history. It all happened long ago so it doesn't really matter but many thanks anyway :-)
Mon Jul 14 16:57:34 2008

Akash Sinh
Well, It's an unnecessary bust. When tobacco and alcohol are legal and do not entertain these kind of busts, LSD becomes a target for the government and media. It's all a game played by the government, media and the socio-standard conscious people.
Fri Jun 20 13:09:00 2008

Nia Moore, Warrington
the only reason alchol and tobacco aren't illegal is they are taxed drugs the goverment dont make these illegal as they get money from themi personally think lsd and other drugs are not as bad as alchol i mean when people drink they become aggressive, people on weed are lazy to fight and people on lsd are to busy looking into space.
Thu May 1 16:20:13 2008

Dennis Morrod, Plymouth
I take my hat off to the Operation Julie team for the lives that their hard work saved: 'At the door of court room Dick Lee (one of the Operation Julie detectives) was approached by a middle aged couple who thanked him and the team personally. Their daughter; their only child, had died from a dose of LSD.'
Fri Jan 11 08:35:07 2008

Michael Rogers
It's my opinion that the op julie squad should hang their heads in shame and beg forgiveness from Kemp, Bott and the others.
Fri Oct 5 16:38:38 2007

Mr wish to remain anonomous
Why wasn't it investigated and reported the connections of these people with the IRA. The connections with Amlwch on Anglesey and their aquaintances with James McCann (IRA) in the town and how two brothers ended up dead....
Mon Aug 27 18:02:45 2007

Richard Taylor from london
The police should spend more time trying to stop crack cocaine and heroin , and treat things such as cannabis , psilocybe mushrooms and LSD less seriously. One finds it hard to believe that these are illegal and alcohol and tobacco are not!
Fri Jul 27 08:54:38 2007

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