OSLO, Sept. 18 (Xinhua) -- Eirik Jensen, Norway's controversial police officer in retirement, was sentenced to 21 years in prison by Oslo district court for corruption and drug-smuggling cases, public broadcaster NRk published Monday.
Jensen is to serve the country's maximum jail term -- 21 years -- after the judges ruled that he helped in smuggling 13.9 tonnes of hashish into Norway in exchange for bribes.
Gjermund Cappelen, an infamous drug trafficker and a witness in the case against Jensen, received a verdict on 15 years in prison.
Jensen had a number of senior positions in the police and the could found no circumstances that could justify reducing his jail term.
"Jensen's actions have a serious impact on the trust that the police and the state of law are dependent on," judge Kim Heger said, adding that police officers are in a special position in society.
"Corruption undermines trust in the judicial system and important principles on which society is based," he added.
After reading of the verdict, both Jensen and Cappelen said that they would take consideration time when it comes to appealing the verdict. The deadline for appeal is 14 days.
