A POLICE chief who spearheaded the fight against drugs in Lancashire retires this week after 33 years in the force.

Detective Chief Inspector Garry Gluyas, 52, was the first drug squad detective constable in Burnley in 1970.

He worked with drugs squads in Blackburn, Preston, Nelson and Rossendale before taking over the Dedicated Wing Drugs Unit of the Regional Drugs Squad as a detective inspector in 1986.

The following year, he became detective chief inspector in charge of the Lancashire Constabulary drugs squad.

In 1989, Rossendale-born DCI Gluyas was the only British police representative at a Commonwealth conference in Zimbabwe, helping African nations in their battle against narcotics.

In 1990 he was appointed head of CID in the Burnley and Pendle area.

Last year he took on a new role with the force's discipline and complaints investigation section, at police headquarters in Hutton. The Burnley-based father of three is married to Judith, herself a former police officer.

On his career in the force, he said: "I have enjoyed every minute of it. I have been very fortunate to have worked with so many very good people.

"But I was always told I would know when the time was right to retire, and I feel the time is now."

"I have had 33 tremendous years and there are no regrets," he added.

DCI Gluyas values the close relationship he has held with the media over three decades.

"I believe it is vitally important the police have an excellent relationship with the Press - we really need to work together - and I have always worked to that end and count many pressmen as my good friends."

His happiest years, he says, were in the drugs teams and he believes the present multi-agency approach on education, prevention and detection is the right way forward.

Although he has no immediate plans, DCI Gluyas feels there is a great deal to do in educating the public on drug prevention matters and hopes to have a role in that field of work.

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