DRUG SQUAD NOT NEEDED AT MTV AWARDS

The world's popstars don't have to worry about drug task forces
during the MTV-music awards festival.

Local police chiefs will stop the 'drug squad' from getting in to
Globen (the Globe). But customs will enforce surveillance at Arlanda
airport - in fear that illegal drugs will flow into the country when
stars and fans arrive.

The MTV-music awards festival is described as the biggest music event
in Swedens history. On Thursday thousands of fans will be in place at
Globen to see the worlds biggest popstars perform.

After the show there will be a big party.

There Might Be Scandals

Stockholm drug task force and the 'drug squad' took for granted that
they could be present at Globen - but the local police management
blocked them.

"We have orders not to work there with reference that it can cause
scandals," says Patrick Ungsater, criminal investigator in the Drug
Squad.

In a letter the police management writes: "Thank you for your
interest, but we don't see any need for your service".

"The risk for drugs is not bigger during the MTV-festival than for
other concerts. Why should I presume that the worlds' elite artists
are a bunch of junkies," says Bruno Jarlestad, one of the local
police chiefs behind the letter.

They Don't Want Any Interruptions

His analysis is not shared by Stockholms drug task force.

"We wanted to help because we work all over the county. To say that
there will not be any drugs at this place is just to much," says Sten
Bergqvist, head of the Drug Squad (ravecommission).

Stockholm city police and the Drug Squad put up 20 narcotics
detectives at disposal, experts in interpreting various symptoms in
people under the influence of drugs.

"We where ready to march. But they don't want any disturbance. It's
because they don't want bad publicity if people under the influence
of drugs are arrested," says Leif Brunell, head of the county's
criminal narcotics department.

Peter Sundqvist, director of the city narcotics detectives is surprised.

"It's strange that they don't want help from us who work with this
daily. I think the decision is wrong. Apparently one makes a
difference between people and people," he says.

City Police Is Not Going There To Show Off

But the local police organisation defends its decision.

"Globen is within our jurisdiction. We have people who know the arena
and can uphold law and order. There is no need for drug squads from
the city to go there and show off and look for people under the
influence of drugs. If we are to have police there we should be able
to use them for everything. They might be know about drugs, but not
the Globe," says Bruno Jarlestad.

Can one not expect drugs during an MTV-festival?

"The risk is not bigger than for other concerts. We have assessed the
situation together with MTV London. Most guests are sponsors.

What do you say about the criticism?

"That the cops say that it is ok to do drugs at the Globe angers me.
I definitly deny that we don't enforce drug laws against this type of
guests," says Bruno Jarlestad.

Increased Surveillance At Arlanda

Customs makes a different judgement during MTV's week in Stockholm.
There, at the international airport, the surveillance is increased
with drug sniffing dogs among other things.

"We will see to it that the artists can't enter as if they where
VIP's with immunity, says Sven Ohlsson, boardercontrol chief at
customs.

He has indications that the flow of drugs increased at last years
MTV-festival in Dublin.

"Just as many big artists comes to Stockholm. I have no evidence that
they are known in drug circles, but they draw fans who we know use
drugs. That makes us worried," says Sven Ohlsson.