There's never a dull moment around City Hall these days. Less than 24 hours after mayor Rob Ford publicly denied allegations that he's crack cocaine user, the Globe and Mail has published the result of an 18-month investigation into the Ford family's alleged ties to the drug trade in Etobicoke.

The newspaper delves into the early adult years of Doug Ford, a councillor and mayor Rob Ford's "best friend," profiling an alleged history as a hashish dealer in the 1980s. The piece refers to the Fords as "a family once deeply immersed in the illegal drug scene."

The Globe and Mail makes it clear that Doug Ford was never criminally charged with possession or dealing. Meanwhile Ford's lawyer, Gavin Tighe, called the story "the height of irresponsible and unprofessional journalism" when given the chance to respond in advance of the story's publication.

Earlier this morning, Doug Ford told Global News the story was "a bunch of sleazy, sleazy journalism ... you're lower than a bunch of fucking politicians. It makes me sick."

How do you think think this news will affect the mayor, who is of course embroiled in his own scandal? Doug Ford is expected to address these allegations shortly, at which time we'll provide an update.

UPDATE: 15:00

Speaking with CP24's Stephen LeDrew a short time ago, Doug Ford emphatically called the Globe and Mail story a complete fabrication.

"That's a lie, an outright lie," he said when asked whether he was the "go-to" hash dealer in Etobicoke in the 1980s. "I wan't to find these uncorroborated witnesses. As far as I'm concerned that's irresponsible journalism ... they're talking 30 years ago, when I was 16-, 17-, 18-years-old. I think it's disgusting journalism."

He later called John Stackhouse, the paper's editor, a "disgusting human being" and said he would like to test of the public's feelings for him and his brother by calling an early election. Do you think the Fords could retain their seats if a vote was called tomorrow?

Here's what Twitter is saying.

Chris Bateman is a staff writer at blogTO. Follow him on Twitter at @chrisbateman.

Image: HiMY SYeD/blogTO Flickr pool.