A HEROIN supply network is operating in the north of the county, according to Pemb-rokeshire's top police officer.

Chief Superintendent Paul Amphlett assured the Western Telegraph there was no large scale Yardie-style trafficking in operation, but added a number of smaller dealers were forging links with drug suppliers in Bristol and Birmingham.

"There is evidence of these Yardie drug gangs moving into Wales, particularly into Cardiff and the valleys," he said, "but they have not come into Pembrokeshire."

He also confirmed there was evidence of some crack cocaine use in the county. However, he stressed the number of crack users in Pembrokeshire was very small and demand for the drug did not seem to be on the increase in the county.

Regarding Home Secretary David Blunkett's planned decriminalisation of cannabis, he said: "It is still an offence to possess cannabis. Until the Government turns around and says it is not illegal we will continue to enforce the law."

Despite the presence of drugs in the county, Chief Superint-endent Amphlett was at pains to emphasis that Pembrokeshire was one of the safest places in the UK to live and work. He added that drug-related crimes were on a far smaller scale than in the south Wales valleys and English inner cities.

Dyfed-Powys Police are currently involved in Operation Tarian, a joint initiative between all three south Wales police forces aimed at tackling the supply of class A drugs along the M4 motorway.