No punishments meted out in trial of drug police

Head of drug unit and NBI chief inspector acquitted, two others convicted, but not punished

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Two officers working for the Helsinki drug police were convicted of negligent malfeasance at Helsinki District Court on Tuesday. However, the court did not assign any punishment to the two.
      Acquitted in the case were Jari Aarnio, chief of the Helsinki drug police, as well as chief inspector Tero Haapala of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).
     
Aarnio, the main defendant, faced charges involving two separate cases. State prosecutor Mika Illman called for him to be fined for negligent violation of official duties.
      Haapala’s charges were for violation, and negligent violation of official duties.
      All defendants denied any wrongdoing.
     
The trial involved two series of events that took place in 2001. In the first, the police were suspected of protecting an informant in a seizure of drugs that took place in Helsinki’s west harbour.
      At that time, nearly ten kilos of amphetamine were confiscated from an Estonian drug courier. An NBI observer suspected that the drug police had warned off their snitch, who was to have received the delivery.
      The other case involved an investigation that started in Estonia. Finnish police were asked to provide assistance.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Police Commissioner wants investigation of claims of threats by drug police (4.9.2009)
  TV report: Helsinki drug police warned criminals of impending wiretap (11.2.2008)
  Vantaa police officers acquitted in case involving undercover drug operation (10.11.2009)

Helsingin Sanomat