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Oslo's top anti-gang cop charged for corruption

The Local Norway
The Local Norway - [email protected]
Oslo's top anti-gang cop charged for corruption
Superintendent Eirik Jensen in 2011 - Photo: Ingar Storfjell/NTB Scanpix

One of Oslo's top undercover policemen has been charged with gross corruption after a local drug kingpin claimed he had made regular protection payments to him over several years.

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According to the man, who was arrested just before Christmas in a smuggling bust involving 90 kilograms of cannabis, Superintendent Eric Jensen (56), was paid to provide intelligence on internal police investigations, and advise smugglers on when it was safe to bring in drugs consignments. 
 
"My client is starting to recover after the initial shock when he was arrested," Jensen's defender, Jens-Ove Hagen, told NRK. "Now he wants to use every opportunity to signal that he is innocent." 
 
He complained that the charges against his client remained "vague", making them difficult to contradict. 
 
" We look forward to having this alleged evidence laid on the table. I do not know yet know if there is any evidence for these allegations," he said. 
 
According to VG, as well as cash payments, the men also gave Jensen information to help him with his investigations into other criminal groups. According to the newspaper, police investigators have found further evidence to corroborate the man's claims. 
 
The Oslo District Court ruled on Tuesday that Jensen should be detained for four weeks pending trial. 
 
Jensen is a maverick legend in the Oslo police, standing out with his long hair and ear-ring. He helped launch the police's  Special Operations department (SO), which works with informants, and also led the police's gang project.
 

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