Authorities in Finland shut down drug network importing narcotics worth €7 million

By admin On Sep 18, 2025

Seized cocaine, which was sent by mail from the United States to Finland. Photo: Customs and Police

Finnish Customs, the National Bureau of Investigation and the Southwest Finland Police Department have dismantled a drug trafficking organisation based in Turku that imported narcotics into the country between 2023 and 2025.

Investigators estimate that drugs worth around €7 million entered Finland during this period. Authorities suspect over 40 people of various offences, including aggravated narcotics offences, firearms violations and money laundering.

The criminal group allegedly smuggled at least 36 kilograms of cocaine, 22 kilograms of amphetamine, 36 kilograms of cannabis and hundreds of thousands of drug tablets from Sweden to Finland. The investigation also uncovered attempts to recover drug debts through violence.

The investigation began in July 2024 after Finnish Customs intercepted three postal packages in Turku sent from the United States. The parcels contained a total of 8.3 kilograms of cocaine. Customs identified the recipients, searched properties and arrested three suspects. One residence held €30,000 in cash believed to be proceeds from drug sales.

According to investigators, the network operated under the direction of individuals in Sweden and consisted of dozens of members. Due to the scale of the operation, Finnish Customs, the National Bureau of Investigation and the Southwest Finland Police Department joined forces to investigate.

Despite several arrests and drug seizures, the organisation continued its operations. In October 2024, authorities located 38 kilograms of cocaine hidden in a shipping container at Vuosaari Harbour in Helsinki. Members of the group made several attempts to locate and retrieve the drugs but were eventually detained during one of the searches.

Tatu Suvikas, senior customs inspector and lead investigator at Finnish Customs, stated that “Customs has seized dozens of kilograms of cocaine in 2024 and in the first half of 2025. Use and demand in Finland has increased steadily. The cooperation between the three authorities led to the desired outcome — halting and shutting down the organisation’s activities.”

Investigators used a range of covert surveillance measures to trace the hierarchy and contacts between Finland and Sweden. The group relied on encrypted messaging apps to coordinate their operations.

The Southwest Finland Police Department focused on the reception and distribution of drugs smuggled from Sweden to the Varsinais-Suomi region. Police believe that one man living in Turku served as the main contact with suppliers in Sweden. The drugs were trafficked across the northern land border and transported to Helsinki before being moved to Turku for local distribution.

The drugs also entered Finland via postal services and private courier firms. The investigation uncovered a professional money laundering operation, believed to have handled the profits and transported the cash out of the country. A separate investigation into the laundering is ongoing.

Jussi Gustafsson, detective chief inspector with the Southwest Finland Police Department, said the Turku-based suspect “was primarily responsible for transferring the criminal proceeds abroad, while other members of the organisation received and distributed the smuggled drugs.”

The National Bureau of Investigation led inquiries into how the smuggling was directed from Sweden. Investigators focused on a Swedish citizen, around 30 years old, suspected of organising drug shipments and ordering a violent crime in response to unpaid debts.

In February 2025, police in Turku uncovered a plan to commit aggravated assault or homicide against a Finnish member of the group. Officers intercepted the attempt before it could take place and arrested two Swedish suspects.

Police suspect the motive was linked to losses from previous drug seizures by authorities. The suspects used encrypted messaging apps to plan the attack both in Sweden and Finland. Nine people, including five Swedish nationals, are under suspicion in this part of the case.

The investigation also revealed an attempt to influence court proceedings. Authorities suspect that the Swedish organiser pressured a Finnish co-suspect to alter their testimony ahead of trial. The pressure included threats of violence, even while in pre-trial detention.

Juha-Pekka Karkkola, detective chief inspector with the National Bureau of Investigation, said this “demonstrates the professional and organised nature of Swedish criminal groups, who attempt to influence co-suspects through threats and violence, even while in custody.”

Authorities found no evidence linking the group directly to any known criminal organisations in Sweden or that the crimes were committed on behalf of such networks.

The case has been handed over to the Western Finland Prosecution District for consideration of charges.

Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi