Sign up for the editor's
weekly newsletter
- Sweden edition
- Change edition:
- France |
- Germany |
- Norway |
- Switzerland
Reader Offer
February 12, 2012
North Korean diplomats' smuggling scheme up in smoke
Published: 20 Nov 09 11:49 CET | Double click on a word to get a translation
Online: http://www.thelocal.se/23384/20091120/
Two North Korean diplomats are being held on suspicion of trying to smuggle 230,000 cigarettes from Russia into Sweden.
- Eriksson turns down North Korea offer: report (14 Oct 09)
- North Korea declares Sweden an enemy (19 Aug 08)
- Diplomat caught in Stockholm sex swoop (29 Sep 05)
“They drove from Russia to Helsinki and had taken a ferry across from there," Monika Magnusson, spokesperson for Swedish Customs (Tullverket), told newspaper Expressen.
A huge stash of cigarettes was found stuffed between passenger seats as well as in the boot of the vehicle.
As there was evidence to show that the tobacco booty has been purchased in Russia, customs officers were immediately able to arrest both parties who unsuccessfully tried to plead a case of diplomatic immunity.
According to newspaper Expressen, the diplomats are based in Russia and the North Korean embassy in Stockholm denies all knowledge of the incident.
The Swedish foreign ministry admits it is aware that arrests have been made but has refused to make any further comment on the case.
The car and its contents have been seized and police have conducted a first round of questioning but have not been able to establish where the diplomats were intending to travel with the cigarettes.
What do you think? Leave your comment below.
Fark It!
Digg This
Share everywhere
Send to a friend
Printable version
Twitter ThisToday's headlines
More snow set to blanket much of Sweden
A new line of snow showers is expected to powder Sweden during Saturday, with the snowfall expected to continue all through the night into Sunday. An area of low pressure north of Sweden is the culprit behind the large area of snowfall. READ (5 COMMENTS) »
Swedish firms choose male bosses: report
Two-thirds of newly appointed bosses in 2011 were men, according to a survey of Sweden's eight largest management recruitment companies presented in Swedish media. READ (6 COMMENTS) »
Psychiatrist had sex with patient during therapy
A Stockholm-based psychiatrist had sex with one of his patients during a therapy session. The man has now been charged with sexually exploiting a person dependent of him. READ (10 COMMENTS) »
73 cats found in three-room apartment
A Swedish man was keeping 73 cats and two dogs in one small apartment, animal protection officers discovered to their horror. Urine, faeces and fur balls covered the apartment's floors, and several of the animals were inbred. READ (3 COMMENTS) »
Sweden to blast fresh blood into space
A rocket carrying newly drawn blood is to be sent into space from the Esrange space centre in Kiruna, in the far north of Sweden. READ (7 COMMENTS) »
'Vodka-mobile' selling booze to Swedish kids
Police in Stockholm are looking to beef up efforts to put the brakes on a “vodka-mobile” that delivers hard liquor to school children in the Swedish capital who place their orders via text message. READ (6 COMMENTS) »
'THE OFFICE' GOES SWEDISH
‘Sweden is the most PC country in the world’
Two days before the premiere of ‘Kontoret’, the Swedish version of The Office, The Local's Oliver Gee chats with the cast about why Sweden needs its own version of a show that's already proved to be a winning concept worldwide. READ (19 COMMENTS) »
Sweden to cut dropout rate by shortening school
The government is hoping to reduce the number of Swedish high school dropouts by offering a shorter course of study for students who "lack the prerequisites" to finish high school, angering opposition politicians. READ (24 COMMENTS) »
More National
- 11/02 Psychiatrist had sex with patient during therapy (10 comments) »
- 11/02 73 cats found in three-room apartment (3 comments) »
- 10/02 Court delays Swedish bride murder trial (3 comments) »
- 10/02 Four arrested for Malmö gang slaying (32 comments) »
- 10/02 Agency to probe doc who broke baby’s neck (17 comments) »
- 09/02 17-year-old dies after ambulance no-show (19 comments) »
- 09/02 'Dapper' Stockholm axe man attacks 71-year-old (8 comments) »
- 09/02 Stockholm train in violent crash with truck (8 comments) »
- 08/02 15-year-old girl abducted by father and armed men (41 comments) »
- 08/02 ‘Hugging’ thieves baffle Stockholm police (16 comments) »
20 things to know before moving to Sweden
As diverse as Sweden is, there are a few societal norms that are distinctly Swedish. Understanding a handful of them will hopefully prepare you culturally before you relocate. When you're invited home to a Swede, you better be on time and take your shoes off, writes expat Lola Akinmade-Åkerström. Read more »
How far can English take you in Sweden?
Sweden is a country where almost everyone can speak English. So why bother to learn Swedish? Edina Varnagy from Hungary managed with English for a whole year but then found that Swedish could open doors – to a job, a social life and greater understanding. Read more »
Blog Update: The Swedish Teacher
"Hej! We all know that Swedes like to have a “fika”. Take the quiz and find out if you have a good “fika vocabulary”. http://www.proprofs.com/quiz-school/story.php?title=fika-quiz Good luck! " READ »
- 10/2 10:47 Reefer Madness (110% LAGOM)
- 07/2 12:55 Queen of Diamonds (The Diplomatic Dispatch)
- 03/2 14:27 Digital Growth and Flying French Fries (Brits Mean Business)
Highlights
|
|
Swedish word of the day
fin
adjective
Fin means anyhting from sweet to proper. When someone says, Du är så fin it's quite a compliment.
Blog
New book about Sweden – get to know the country
Sweden – Up North, Down to Earth is a book about Sweden today. A country of natural beauty and open space, and a society focused on equality, human rights and sustainability. Meet regular and astonishing Swedes, supercars and indie rock bands, vampires and royalties.
Buy your copy of Sweden – Up North, Down to Earth from Sweden Bookshop
In cooperation with DoToday
Register
Register now for:
> Free use of noticeboard
> Special discounts
> Weekly news roundup
> Unlimited use of discuss
Jobs in Sweden, in English
527 jobs available
239 new jobs this week
0 new jobs today
- Executive Assistant
- Press Secretary
- Area Product Manager Denmark
- Test Engineer
- Security Software Developer
- Vill du arbeta som helpdesk tekniker i en internationell miljö?
- Regional Service Manager DMT Nordics
- Senior Supply Chain Analyst
- Senior Brand Manager and Brand Manager
- Project Manager - PMO
Noticeboard
Discuss
- 22:47 My Skype Idea
- 22:30 Supermarket frustration irks
- 22:20 Björn Johan Andressen
- 20:23 Just collected a doctors prescription
- 20:18 Tax free savings accounts (for children)
- 20:05 Have you ever seen ghost in Sweden?
- 20:03 Rejected work permit
- 19:54 Things to remember while buying a fritidshus
- 19:43 Need to replace windows
- 18:26 What is death?
Turning Point Counseling
Turning Point Counselling centre offers the international community of Stockholm a safe space for personal development, counselling and coaching.
http://www.turning-point.se/show.asp
Turning Point Counselling centre offers the international community of Stockholm a safe space for personal development, counselling and coaching.
http://www.turning-point.se/show.asp
Swedish Down Town
Swedish Down Town PR Consulting and Productions is an innovative business company which provides valuable assistance with Public Relations and Communications in the swedish and the international market.
www.swedishdowntown.com
Swedish Down Town PR Consulting and Productions is an innovative business company which provides valuable assistance with Public Relations and Communications in the swedish and the international market.
www.swedishdowntown.com
The Local's new Marketplace
Find products and services that are specifically focused on English speakers living in Sweden!
FULL DETAILS
Find products and services that are specifically focused on English speakers living in Sweden!
FULL DETAILS
English Speaking Therapist Stockholm
British-Australian Male Counsellor. Counselling Therapy for Depression, Mental Health, Sex, Relationship & Expat Issues
08-559 22 636 or CLICK HERE
British-Australian Male Counsellor. Counselling Therapy for Depression, Mental Health, Sex, Relationship & Expat Issues
08-559 22 636 or CLICK HERE
Counseling in English
Individuals & Couples - Stockholm Beth Rogerson PhD - Clinical, Marriage & Family Therapist
Click or call 08-5580 1266 now
Individuals & Couples - Stockholm Beth Rogerson PhD - Clinical, Marriage & Family Therapist
Click or call 08-5580 1266 now
Doctor of Psychology
Therapy in English in Stockholm Trained in California Individuals & Couples (08) 93 81 48 FREE phone consultation
Visit anxiousorblue.se
Therapy in English in Stockholm Trained in California Individuals & Couples (08) 93 81 48 FREE phone consultation
Visit anxiousorblue.se
Get on the Tennis Court with www.babolatshop.se
The new Online Tennis Store with the largest selection of Babolat Products in Sweden
http://www.babolatshop.se
The new Online Tennis Store with the largest selection of Babolat Products in Sweden
http://www.babolatshop.se
Your comments about this article:
The comments below have not been moderated in advance and are not produced by The Local unless clearly stated. Readers are responsible for the content of their own comments. Comments that breach our terms and conditions will be removed.
I was under the impression you could haul unlimted amounts of cocaine, dead hookers and other contraband through Arlanda or any ferry terminal given the non-existant security.
I think we can assume that the diplomats were suspected of carrying something far more important, and that this was merely a smoke-screen to facilitate the arrests....
@Bushido: 230,000 cigarettes = 1150 cartons or 11500 packs of smoke. Still, you may be correct in your assumption.
The article states the diplomats were in a "private car" and had the smokes stashed in the boot and between the passenger seats. So it still doesn't sound like they were trying to hide the 'contraband' that much.
Interesting that the Cold War has never gone away, but simply takes on a different face over time.....