Pubdate: Fri, 01 Nov 2002 Source: Helsingin Sanomat International Edition (Finland) Copyright: 2002 2000 Helsingin Sanomat Contact: http://www.helsinki-hs.net/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1158 TEENAGERS' DRUG SALES NETWORK UNCOVERED Members Of Gang And Customers Are From Well-to-do Families Police in Helsinki have uncovered a drug distribution network mainly comprising young people aged 18 and 19. According to a television news report on Thursday, the group mainly sold cannabis, as well as a small amount of ecstasy. According to Finland's fourth national television network, TV-Nelonen, the group is one of the most extensive drug sales networks uncovered in Finland. Police have remanded four main suspects in custody. Each of the suspects were reported to have about 20 dealers working for them. Petri Juvonen of the Helsinki police believes that up to 200 young people under the age of 20 may be involved in the operations. Juvonen says that nearly all of the members of the "teen gang" were from well-to-do families. None of the main suspects had any prior criminal record. Juvonen described the operations of the league as extensive, but amateurish, and apparently the drug business has not involved any other types of crime. "The kids are ordinary schoolboys, friends since childhood", Juvonen says. The users who have been apprehended were also from well-to-do families, and lacked criminal backgrounds. They were able to finance their drug use without resorting to theft. Police say that they hope to catch as many users as possible in hopes that they can get the kids to stop using drugs. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Stevens