In March last year, the police in Umeå made a record seizure of narcotics. Close to 15 kilos of amphetamine and nine kilos of hashish were found, as well as a kilo of cannabis, around SEK 500,000 in cash, tear gas weapons and electric shock weapons.
This was the largest drug seizure ever in Västerbotten at the time. The trial ended in the days before Christmas.
A total of six men, most in their 30s, have stood trial. Two of the men are suspected of particularly serious drug offences. The prosecutor demands that they be sentenced to seven and six years in prison, respectively.
The prosecutor asked for long sentences
As for three of the other men, the prosecutor wants to see a sentence of between five and six years. One of the men is only suspected of attempted drug offences. There, the prosecutor wants the court to sentence him to prison for one and a half years.
But last week the case took an unexpected turn. The 42-year-old man, who is suspected of serious drug offences, was released from custody, more than three weeks after the end of the district court hearing.
The 42-year-old was charged after the police found large quantities of narcotics in his home. He denies all allegations of wrongdoing.
“Have to wait for the verdict”
A release is often followed by an acquittal. But it also happens that people are released and then sentenced to prison, usually to a shorter prison sentence.
Chamber prosecutor Stina Stener does not want to speculate on what the release may be due to.
– We simply have to wait for the verdict and see how the district court has reasoned, says chamber prosecutor Stina Stener.
The verdict in the case will come on Wednesday.