The Espoo District Court opened the case against Karalahti and other suspects in a local prison for security reasons. If found guilty, Karalahti could face up to
six years in prison.
The 32-year-old Karalahti was charged with smuggling four kilograms (nine pounds) of amphetamines into Finland. He also allegedly provided ¤20,000 (US$29,500) for smuggling operations, prosecutors said. He has denied all the charges.
The drug ring is suspected of smuggling about 20 kilograms (44 pounds) of amphetamines and hundreds of grams (ounces) of cocaine from Estonia to Finland last year.
In December, Karalahti was taken off the ice during a practice session with his team Karpat for police questioning.
Karalahti left the NHL in 2002 after being suspended for six months for his third violation of the league's substance abuse policy. He played 121 games from 2000-02 for the Los Angeles Kings and Nashville Predators.
Karalahti joined Karpat last year after agreeing to follow the club's strict rules on alcohol and drugs, putting him in contention for a return to Finland's national team for the upcoming world championships in Canada. Karalahti was voted an All-Star defenseman at the 1998 and '99 worlds. Jere Karalahti was charged Tuesday with being involved in smuggling amphetamines into Finland.
If found guilty, Karalahti could face up to six years in prison.
The drug ring is suspected of smuggling amphetamines and cocaine from Estonia to Finland last year.
On Nov. 6, Karalahti was taken off the ice for police questioning during his Karpat team's practice. Three days later, he was arrested on suspicion of committing a serious drug offense.
The Finnish Hockey League temporarily banned Karalahti in December.
Karalahti left the NHL in 2002 after being suspended for six months for his third violation of the league's substance abuse policy. He played 121 games from 2000-02 for the Los Angeles Kings and Nashville Predators.
Karalahti joined Karpat last year. Skating for Finland, he was voted an All-Star defenseman at the 1998 and '99 world championships.
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