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.