Now four men have been sentenced to long prison terms in the so-called “Operation Battalion case” in Skien. This is revealed in a judgment from the Telemark district court. Newspaper TA mentioned the judgment first. Spy on warehouse building It was a Saturday afternoon in November 2020 that police detectives followed the activities around a workshop in a warehouse building at Kjørbekk in Skien. Specifically in Bataljonvegen, which also gave its name to the case. When they observed a lorry with foreign plates driving to the address they were monitoring, they quickly asked for assistance. Several police patrols struck, and minutes later one of the biggest hashish seizures in Norwegian history was a fact. 698 kilograms of hashish were hidden in the vehicle. Inside these doors at Kjørbekk in Skien, the police found large quantities of hashish when they raided in November 2020. Photo: Theo Aasland Valen The police described the seizure at the time as huge. – It is one of the largest hashish seizures ever made by the Norwegian police, said police attorney Odd Skei Kostveit in the South-East police district to news. A street value of up to NOK 140 million was suggested. The investigation has shown that also earlier, in September of the same year, a large batch of hashish was introduced into Norway. The prosecution believes that several of the same actors were involved. Then the figure was 663 kilograms of the illegal substance. Both batches of hashish are said to have been transported from Sweden to Norway via the Storlien border station in Meråker. Extensive investigation The seizure triggered a very extensive police investigation, also referred to as “Operation Battalion”. The police’s use of hidden means of coercion has been central to the investigation. Among other things, communication control in the form of telephone and room tapping, as well as camera monitoring and GPS tracking. – Furthermore, extensive forensic investigations, analyzes of telecommunications and traffic data, toll crossings and border crossings have been carried out, the judgment states. The four men have been sentenced for different roles in the case: 34-year-old: Sentenced to prison for 16 years, for complicity in the importation of a total of 1,361 kilograms of hashish. The court has found it proven that he had a superior role as facilitator and organizer. 54-year-old: Sentenced to prison for 12 years for complicity in two imports of a total of 1,361 kilograms of hashish. The court believes that the man had a subordinate role in the case, and acted as a driver. 27-year-old: Sentenced to prison for ten years for complicity in the importation of a total of 1,361 kilograms of hashish. According to the verdict, the man must have played a central role on the receiving and distribution side. 32-year-old: Sentenced to prison for ten years for complicity in one importation of 663 kilograms of hashish. Has, according to the police, played a role as an assistant in the case, writes the court. All four receive various deductions for the time they have spent in custody in connection with the case. Appealed immediately Øyvind Bergøy Pedersen defends the 34-year-old who is referred to by the court as an organizer in the case. Øyvind Bergøy Pedersen, defender. Photo: Lokman Ghorbani / news His client appealed the verdict immediately, he says. – We believe that illegally acquired evidence has been used, says Pedersen to news. The man has admitted that he was supposed to have 30 kilos of the hash which originated from the importation in September, and pleads guilty to this. However, he denies that he has any other involvement with the last case in November 2020. Jon Anders Hasle defends the 32-year-old man who has been convicted of complicity in introducing the one party in December 2020. Jon Anders Hasle, defender. Photo: Aina Indreiten / news – He denies guilt, and strongly disagrees with the verdict. We have been upheld in much of what we have stated in the case, but are continuously considering an appeal. Now we will first review the judgment carefully, he says to news. – A somewhat shocked Tollef Skobba defends the 27-year-old man, who is the only one of the convicts who has made an unreserved confession in the case. – We have just reviewed the judgment for the first time, and will consider appealing the decision, he says. Tollef Skobba, defender. Photo: Helena Rønning / news – What is his immediate reaction to the verdict? – He was aware that he was going to get a sentence, but it is shocking to get it in black and white, says Skobba. news has tried to contact the 54-year-old’s defense on Friday evening. So far no luck.
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Convicted of having smuggled more than 1.3 tonnes of hashish into Norway – news Vestfold and Telemark – Local news, TV and radio
