Cop seeks Moss's surrender
From: Agence France-Presse
January 05, 2006
A TOP police officer has appealed to supermodel Kate Moss to return to Britain and face arrest amid allegations of cocaine-snorting.
Tarique Ghaffur, the Assistant Commissioner of London's Metropolitan Police, said Moss, 31, faced arrest if she returned to Britain from the US as police close the net on dealers supplying wealthy celebrities with hard drugs.
Moss left Britain after a newspaper published grainy video stills of her three months ago, allegedly sniffing cocaine in a recording studio.
Police want her side of the story as they prepare to make a clutch of arrests.
"It is very important to us that she comes back to assist us with this investigation. We hope that Kate will give us her version of events," Asst Comm Ghaffur told The Sun.
"It is in her interests and everybody's interests that she does this as soon as possible.
"There has been a lot of speculation as to whether she has decided to stay in the United States.
"But we have an investigation to carry out and we need to speak to her as soon as possible. The investigation is progressing very well and the Met is closing in on those who are behind the supply of drugs.
"But we have got to speak to Kate. I am making an appeal to Kate to come back to this country."
"If she does we will seek to see her by appointment. We will arrest her and interview her under caution."
Asst Comm Ghaffur said his boss, Metropolitan Police chief Ian Blair - Britain's top police officer - has made it clear that wealthy cocaine users were on the hit list.
"I am very concerned about the harm created by drug usage in the entertainment, music and fashion industries.
"There is also a danger that drugs are glamourised and vulnerable people take them and ruin their lives."
The fuzzy video images of Moss, published in the Daily Mirror, led to her losing lucrative contracts with Swedish retailer H and M, French fashion and perfume house Chanel and trendy British trenchcoat brand Burberry.
She has since been dubbed "Cocaine Kate" in British newspapers.
"Whatever she says will be compared to the evidence we have collected and then presented to the Crown Prosecution Service," Asst Comm Ghaffur said.
"I guarantee that, like anyone else, she will be dealt with fairly within the law. What we are seeking is positive information to help with our inquiries.
"There are others involved in the supply of the drugs. We anticipate being in the position of making arrests shortly."
The Sun said the enquiry centres on two known dealers who were associates of her former boyfriend Pete Doherty, 26, a drug-fuelled rock musician.
Moss's career has enjoyed a quick rebound, with her face back on the covers of top fashion magazines as well as a television commercial for Virgin mobile phones in Britain that shows her making a wholesome cup of tea.
She underwent treatment at a detox centre in Arizona after she issued a public apology for her hard-partying conduct.
News.com.au
