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Swedish gang member in garden gnome drug bust

Published: 13 Apr 12 08:10 CET | Print version
Online: http://www.thelocal.se/40240/20120413/

A 26-year-old man with ties to a Hells Angels branch in central Sweden was sentenced to prison Wednesday after being fund guilty of selling large quantities of synthetic drugs imported from China and hidden inside garden gnomes.

The man was apprehended by police on the outskirts of Eskilstuna when he was transporting the drugged-up gnomes to various suppliers, reported the local Eskilstuna-Kuriren newspaper.

According to the paper, police believe the man has connections to the local branch of infamous Hells Angels, one of Sweden's most feared motorcycle gangs.

The drugs, allegedly the synthetic substances MDPV (Methylenedioxypyrovalerone) and Methylone, amphetamine-like and psychoactive stimulants, were imported from China.

The drugs were later smuggled into Sweden where they were hidden inside the innocent-looking garden ornaments.

The prosecutor could show evidence that the man had purchased around two kilogrammes of the narcotics from foreign suppliers on at least two occasions.

The police were able to track the orders to the man, as they were allegedly placed from his mother-in-law’s iPad.

After the drugs had been transported into Sweden, they were concealed inside garden gnomes and distributed to the buyers, according to the paper.

The man was found guilty of the offence and on Wednesday was sentenced to four years in prison for aggravated narcotics crimes.

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08:57 April 13, 2012 by SimonDMontfort
Ouch! Good 'sting' by the Swedish police
12:46 April 13, 2012 by wolverine2k
Quick! Sue Apple for releasing iPad on which you can order drugs!
15:06 April 13, 2012 by gpafledthis
And mom? Clearly the co-conspirator your minister of "equality" should step up to the plate on this one !!
15:09 April 13, 2012 by mikewhite
"after being fund guilty of selling large quantities of synthetic drugs imported from China and hidden inside garden gnomes. "

a) typo - *found* guiltty

b) wording could be improved - the current wording could almost suggest he was hidden inside garden gnomes !
15:26 April 13, 2012 by entry
Who would have thunk that a Hells Angels gang member with an armful of brightly painted garden gnomes would stand out in a crowd???? Doh!

Hundreds of years ago he would have been the cat burglar with the cow bell on his neck....
16:22 April 13, 2012 by tadchem
Never trust a roaming gnome.
20:03 April 13, 2012 by Jeff10
The drug war is a waste of money and an excuse for intrusive, overbearing socialistic gov't to attempt to have even more control over people's lives.

Legalize all drugs, even those for which is required a prescription. Then, allow employers to set their own drug policy. Employers can test any employee at any time, with or without cause and fire any employee who violates the employer's drug policy. Then, don't allow any tyep of unemployment or other welfare for any employee who is fired for violating a company's drug policy policy.

Some employers will test for many/all drugs (airlines, hospitals, police, military, etc.), some employers will test for some drugs, and some employers won't test for any drugs.

Of course, no one many be under the influence while on the job.

What will be the result? Lower drug use, far less money and 'income-earning oppportunities' for terrorists and other criminals, and a boatload of savings for taxpayers.

At the local, state, and federal level (including military sources devoted to the drug war - this is much of the US Coast Guard budget), the US spends over $100 billion on the drug war. This includes everything, from enforcement, arrest, trials, incarceration, etc.

Taxpayers can't afford this anymore. If someone want's OD on drugs, hey, have at it, but don't look to me to pay to save one from oneself, because of one's drug addiction or just use.
02:29 April 14, 2012 by gpafledthis
@jeff10 YOU are a bore !!
08:32 April 14, 2012 by Douglas Garner
@jeff10... not only do I agree with gpafledthis, but there are some people who need proper medication in order to hold a job... and frequent monitoring.

Yes, the drug war is not going well, and yes, perhaps a form of legalization might help. On the other hand, It might result in even greater dependence, hence localized crime, hence ruined lives.

There are many benefits to the patients using prescription medications provided by the pharmacy system. Leave it alone, Jeff and make sure you take your antipsycotics today!
05:18 April 17, 2012 by ajibik
What WILL they think of next?
18:10 April 17, 2012 by RadioBob
@Jeff10: what a %*$(*&! putz.
20:14 April 25, 2012 by Coalbanks
Legalization may relieve some of the problem but do you need more addicts, cheaper drugs or better intervention & treatment. As for the parasites who prey on addicts - 4 years! BS! Try 10 years. These predators destroy lives as surely as a drunk driver killing someone and with no more concern or remorse.
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