Estonian police officer allegedly leaks information to criminals - Finnish drug sting ruined
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The head of the Drug Unit of Estonia's Central Criminal Police is suspected of leaking information to Estonian drug gangs. The disclosure of sensitive information apparently ruined a drug operation by Finnish police officials that was under way three years ago.
The Estonian police investigating the incident suspect that the 32-year-old Chief Inspector informed a certain criminal through a middleman that he was under surveillance by Finnish police who were preparing a sting operation to arrest some drug dealers.
The head of the Drug Unit was taken into custody at the beginning of May, causing a sensation in Estonia. Currently, Estonia's Security Police are suspecting him of malfeasance.
On Wednesday, after the man's appeal was rejected and he was remanded for trial by the Tallinn Court of Appieal, it became apparent that the incident had connections to Finland in particular.
Based on the trial documents, the suspicions are grave, and when connected to a police officer of high rank, quite exceptional.
In addition to the information leak that harmed the Finnish police operation, the Chief Inspector is suspected of having dug up information on the telephone calls and addresses of many people at the request of some members of criminal gangs. He is also suspected of checking what information on these members were recorded in the confidential files and databases of the Estonian police.
Further allegations include the use of a criminal's car and holiday home for free, mediation in the disputes of some competing gangs, as well as alleged participation in some cocaine deals totalling 200 grammes, for which he would have received money. The case has been under investigation since last summer.
The suspect's lawyer sought to discredit all evidence and witnesses at the court and claimed that the entire affair can be about the revenge of some criminals.
The State Prosecutor believes that the suspect had misused his official authority and taken advantage of his colleagues' gullibilityto the advantage of the criminals.
The suspicions against the Chief Inspector came as a great surprise to Estonians, as he was a well-known figure in the fight against drug trafficking and had even received an exemplary service medal for his anti-drug efforts.
Helsingin Sanomat
