Was supposed to testify in a trial – was put in custody – NRK Troms and Finnmark

In April, a man in his 30s was sentenced to five years in prison for introducing 150,000 Xalol tablets from Finland to Norway.

The man came from Romania and was stopped Heligskogen customs officewhen the seizure was made in Easter 2023. He was then not alone in the car.

The passenger, in his 30s and from Eastern Europe, has also been under investigation. The case against him was dismissed on the basis of the evidence.

It turned around when the passenger had to testify in Nord-Troms and Senja District Court.

– During the witness statement, which was recorded on audio and video, he explained his handling of the case in such a way that the closure decision was overturned.

This is stated in a detention order.

Police attorney: – Unusual

Police prosecutor in the Troms police district, Joachim Staff, says it is rare that a testimony in court ends with an arrest by the police.

– It is unusual for someone to be arrested after testifying in a criminal case, he says.

The passenger is now charged with having contributed to the introduction of the 150,000 tablets with an anti-anxiety effect.

The man was remanded in custody for four weeks in mid-April.

In 2020, several people died of overdose. At the time, the police suspected that it could be connected to a batch of Xalol tablets. But at the time, the police suspected that the tablets also contained other dangerous substances.

The prison order states that the passenger must have been aware that he had no obligation to answer questions that could lead to criminal liability when he testified.

NRK has been in contact with the accused man’s defender, Eivind Elvestad. He had no opportunity to comment on how his client is dealing with the charge at this time.

Soon completed investigation

It is more than the man’s testimony that forms the basis of the charge. The man’s presence when the seizure was made helped strengthen suspicion. The man is said to have also booked plane tickets for the others involved from Torp to Bucharest in the same period.

In the charge, the court asks for a quick investigation into the case. That out of consideration for the accused’s family situation. The man lives in Troms.

– We are in the very final phase of the investigation. There are only a few investigative steps left, says the police attorney.

The seizure of the anxiety medication is considered serious drug crime.

– Courier in this case was sentenced to five years in prison. It is in the cards that we also see this matter as serious, says Staff.