"Along with colleagues from eleven Police Forces I spent 2½ years investigating the manufacture and distribution of LSD.
Initially I was a Detective Sergeant with various roles of investigating; surveillance on suspect individuals and premises.
These duties resulted in long periods of isolation in outlandish places, and took to me all parts of the U K, and France.
In France I had the privelage of working through the Paris Interpol Office, and the French Police Specialist Drugs team.
Following promotion to Detective Inspector my role changed to preparing evidence for the Prosecution case, and liaison with the Director of Public Prosecutions, and the prosecution team at the Crown Court in Bristol.
The unlawful use of LSD had resulted in many murders; aggravated assaults, suicides, and serious psychological disorders amongst those who used it.
The knowledge that persons manufacturing LSD were making vast profits and the consequences of its use upon those taking it, was a very high motivating factor for the Operation Julie team.
The success of the operation was a severe setback to the criminal fraternity, but most importantly prevented loss of life and injury upon those who saw its use as a 'social mind bending experience'.
The length of the investigation created many personal social and domestic difficulties and the long periods spent away from our families the worst.
Secrecy was paramount and the dire consequences of breaching that security was forcibly impressed on every member of the team.
At the conclusion, some highly educated and skilful people were imprisoned. My personal feelings at the conclusion were 'has it been worth it'.
I remain convinced on many aspects. However some recent political decisions to reclassify some 'drugs' is very disheartening. These decisions do little to help society in general, the well being of individuals, or the Police Service.
I am heartened that Operation Julie was the forerunner to many subsequent and current successful investigations. Many lessons were learned.
We would do well to bear that in mind and lend our support to the Police Officers who continue to commit themselves to the well being of our young people and society in general."
Article by Dai Rees
More about Operation Julie...
your comments
GV from Carmarthen
I was a young police officer at the time. 1976 is also the time the "hippies" were camped at Elan valley and were "evacuated" by Dyfed Powys Police in a "dawn raid" That was an experience I can tell you.Re Julie, a tremendoue achievement, a pity that the forces couldn't capitalise on the success. Look at the problems we have now. And please do not tell me that "drugs" in what ever form "are not harmful!!" Look at the "culture" we have now? Guns etc. All to do with drugs. If the Chief Constables at the time realised the work and effort of Julie, and continued with a proper drug force possibly we may not be in the state of violence we are in now.
Tue Dec 23 14:25:39 2008
Alan,
Sure there are some people that may have died or been injured whilst under the influence by accident, some others will blame it causing mental conditions which lead to problems later, it must be stressed though that some people already have a mental condition and any incident can not in itself be atributed to LSD.As previously stated by others Tobacco and Alcohol cause far more harm to society and the government or police do nothing!, makes you wonder sometimes.
Fri Oct 31 17:36:18 2008
Andy, Melbourne
Thanks for the reminder of Smiles - I lived in Llandewi and met the character in the pub. Really had no idea what was to happen. He and his family were generous, kind people; not a master criminal to his friends. Anybody know how he's faring 30 years on?
Fri May 23 09:07:56 2008
Andy Roberts
Hi,Readers might like to know I have just completed a book on the social history of LSD in Britain. It contains a long chapter on Operation Julie, with much new information, written from the point of view of the counter culture. It's called Albion Dreaming...
Mon May 5 20:04:49 2008
Jonny, glasgow
two and a half years? 11 police forces? our attitude to drugs is really quite ridiculous. if it really is the harm we're concerned about then what about cigarrettes, alcohol, fatty foods and all manners of dangerous things? it's not within the province of government to enforce such laws. They should regulate and moderate and stop forcing these inevitable underground criminal activities from taking root. you can't win a war on drugs cause hey, people like it. why? cause it's nice. why can't we be sensible? humph
Thu May 1 16:21:58 2008
From Kent
My second cousin committed suicide about 3 years ago - his mental state had never been right since using LSD while in college during the 70's. He was prone to fits of depression and despair which never really improved. So LSD has never killed anybody? Police should be doing other things? - tell that to the family he left behind. Far more educated, creative, intelligent, and intellectual than the police? - maybe but then so was Harold Shipman.
Sun Apr 20 19:18:54 2008
Dan, Reading
LSD in itself may not be too harmful (although many people have been hurt or killed while high on it). What is definite though is that there are many murders and other crimes in the drugs trade, which LSD is very much a part of.
Tue Mar 25 14:21:02 2008
Sweden
LSD killing people? murders? assaults? That's laughable propaganda. I'm sure they believe it though...
Thu Nov 15 16:43:34 2007
Michael Rogers
RIP David Solomon. Cardiff jane - well said.Alston Day? probably Alston Hughes - known to all as 'smiles'. Still alive and well.Operation julie book is so scarce but 'Brotherhood of eternal love' has been republished and mentions the Julie lot.There was a TV documentary - not good.Informed judgement these days has no problem distinguishing the scum from the heroes.
Fri Oct 5 16:39:43 2007
Andy Roberts, Bagillt, North Wales
Hi,In response to Tery's query about the whereabouts of David Solomon - he died earlier this year in America.Andy
Fri Sep 7 11:04:25 2007
Tery Bennett from Bristol
At that time I worked for a taxi firm taking prisoners to and from court. I arrived at Brecon police station in total innocence and asked if the local policeman knew of an old friend of mine who had disappeared some where around here? The friends name was Dave and I think the last name was Solomon. On reflection I now understand the reaction I got. I would like to find him to this day. I had no idea what I had walked into. Does anyone know of his whereabouts today?
Sun Jul 8 19:39:18 2007
Jane, Cardiff
Dai Rees is obviously highly ignorant of the effects of LSD...perhaps he should read the British Medical Journal... What is apparent is that he was complicit in the arrest and conviction of men and women who were far more educated, creative, intelligent, and intellectual than those within the police force at the time...
Thu Jun 21 09:16:51 2007
Andy Roberts, Bagillt
I'm writing a book about the social history of LSD in the UK and would like to hear from anyone in the Tregaron area who either knew any of the LSD makers or were involved in the police operation etc
Fri Jun 15 09:25:29 2007
Jack Turner, Manchester
Was there a charactor in the film called Alston Day?
Fri Apr 27 09:34:43 2007
tony marsh ,Plas Llysyn,Carno ,Powys
Hi Has anyone got the book for sale on Operation Julie?
Mon Apr 2 16:39:08 2007
Cedwyn Aled, Pontypridd
PS - hindsight's a wonderful thing.
Wed Mar 28 10:01:26 2007
Cedwyn Aled, Pontypridd
A recent report said that LSD has caused less harm than Alcohol & Tobacco. If this is correct then arguably a greater contribution to public health would have been made if Dai Rees and his colleagues had arrested those involved in the retail and distribution of alcohol & cigarettes in this country. A visit to any Accident & Emergency unit will show the destructive effects of alcohol, whilst the cancer wards are full of smokers. By the way, the Clash wrote 'Julie's been working for the drug squad' about the bust in Tregaron - it's on their 2nd album, 'Give 'em enough rope'.
Mon Mar 26 17:36:39 2007
L.T
Interesing programe ,I belive there has been a documentary made about this few years ago i did see a little bit of it then and would love to get a look at it again.Any one know where and how to get hold of it.plus incase you dont know there is a book out about it all,operation julie.
Thu Mar 22 09:50:08 2007
John, Kent
Enjoyed programme - but would have liked more from the 'other ' side.
I disagree that LSD has killed anyone. This is a myth from the 1960s that people like to keep pushing.
Fri Mar 9 17:11:44 2007
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