The suspect is believed to have carried the illicit substance in water bottles inside a backpack, with approximately seven litres of amphetamine base disguised as water. Photo: Finnish Customs
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Finnish Customs has uncovered a large-scale amphetamine trafficking operation involving disguised transport of raw drug material in water bottles carried on a ferry from Tallinn to Helsinki.
Authorities have arrested eight suspects with links to international criminal groups. The suspects are citizens of Finland, Poland, and Lithuania.
The smuggling took place in spring 2025. One of the suspects is believed to have transported approximately seven litres of amphetamine base in plastic water bottles packed inside a backpack.
The liquid was later processed into 38 kilograms of street-grade amphetamine at a rented holiday property in southern Finland.
The processed quantity has an estimated market value of over €500,000, with at least €240,000 worth believed to have been distributed before the arrests.
The investigation began after Estonian authorities alerted Finnish Customs in March about three Polish citizens travelling to Finland with suspicious materials. The items suggested preparations for drug processing.
The trio had rented a short-term holiday property in southern Finland, which investigators later identified as the site where the amphetamine was diluted and processed. Customs officers arrested the suspects at the location and recovered materials linked to drug manufacturing.
Finnish Customs said the investigation has reached its final stage. The case will be handed over to the South Finland Prosecutor’s Office for consideration of charges.
Customs also noted that amphetamine seizures have increased in recent years. In 2023, authorities seized 237 kilograms of amphetamine out of a total of 2,052 kilograms of confiscated drugs. This was up from 162 kilograms the previous year.
HT
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Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi
