Drug-busters seized the biggest heroin haul in a single swoop.

It focused on large amounts of heroin distributed through several communities including Methil, which led to a number of deaths as a result of overdoses.

Detective Chief Inspector Russell Scott said that in one incident an attempt had been made to run officers down.

Drugs were found by police buried in the garden of an innocent councillor and children had been used as dealers.

The purge included the largest haul of heroin and money seized in a single raid - the drugs had an alleged street value of �275,000 and the cash was worth �200,000.

Five criminals were sent to prison in October 2002, but officers are only now able to discuss the details because final proceedings against their alleged supplier have been dropped as a result of his ill-health.

Mr Scott said the removal of the gang had been of major benefit, particularly in Methil - where its members had trafficking for many years.

'Most active team'

The inquiry, he added, had placed great demands on the staff and resources of Fife's drugs squad.

In addition, several members of the public - despite threats of violence - had assisted the police.

Mr Scott said: "Operation George was the longest surveillance operation ever conducted by the Drugs Squad, and targeted those at the highest level of criminality in the Methil area.

"The operation concentrated on disrupting and arresting what was at that time the most active team of heroin dealers in the Fife area.

"We believe that they were distributing in excess of one kilo of heroin and every two weeks to the local community."

Mr Scott added: "They went to extraordinary lengths to prevent the police from finding both their drugs and money, including body concealments.

"The team would also deploy spotters in an effort to compromise the efforts of the police and to warn them of any suspicious activity."