drug-busting while in Bermuda, US sources revealed yesterday.

Mr. Coxall -- who quit the Island early after a row with Government following the anti-drugs Operation Cleansweep -- has been honoured by the US Drug Enforcement Administration, who assisted in the massive swoop on Island drug dealers.

Mr. Coxall was invited to the US Embassy in London's Grosvenor Square to be presented with the citation, presented on behalf of the DEA's chief in Washington.

Mr. Coxall was also presented with letter of thanks from the New Jersey DEA office, which supplied officers for the undercover operation mounted last year.

The citation read: "In appreciation and gratitude for your significant accomplishments in the field of international drug control as Commissioner of Police in Bermuda.'' The accompanying letter told Mr. Coxall: "For the first time in the history of Bermuda law enforcement, at your request and under your direction, the DEA Newark Field Division and the Bermuda Police Service initiated a very successful quality of life initiative dubbed Operation CleanSweep.

"The support given to the DEA Newark Field Division undercover agents while they were deployed in Bermuda by you and members of your service was second to none and I thank you.'' The letter added: "Your dedication to duty and more importantly the assistance you have provided over the years in the area of international drug law enforcement is deeply appreciated and will be missed.'' Mr. Coxall quit Bermuda before his three-year contract was up following a row with Government.

Government blamed Mr. Coxall's departure on a failure to produce a succession plan for the two top Police jobs.

But then-Minister Irving Pearman was caught up in Cleansweep after cheques written by him were found in the possession of two men arrested during the operation.

Mr. Pearman denied any involvement in drugs, insisting the cash was in payment for work around his home, and was never charged with any offence.

But the controversy surrounding the Pearman affair is understood to have been a major factor in Mr. Coxall's departure.

That, however, was later denied by both Government and Government House.

But recognition of Mr. Coxall's achievements in Bermuda could be seen as a slap in the face for the Government, as the US authorities are understood to be aware of the circumstances surrounding Cleansweep and Mr. Coxall's decision to quit.

US sources said a second phase of Cleansweep -- involving chemical analysis to pinpoint the "signature'' and the US origin of drugs brought into Bermuda -- was scheduled to run in the wake of the first operation, but has yet to take place.

The plan was to catch dealers in America -- and pressure them to reveal their contacts in Bermuda.

Coxall honoured Mr. Coxall, when contacted at his home in England, declined to comment on the reasons for his leaving the Island force.

But Mr. Coxall, now a part-time consultant with a hi-tech French engineering firm, said: "I'm very, very pleased that the work that I was able to do to try and clear up drugs in Bermuda was recognised by the leading drugs enforcement agency in the world. I'm very sad that I couldn't continue that work.'' HONOURED -- Colin Coxall AWARD AWD