Marijuana seized by Customs. Photo: Customs
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Finnish Customs has concluded an investigation into a criminal organisation that imported and distributed marijuana in the Uusimaa region. The operation had been under scrutiny since spring 2024.
According to Customs, the group used express freight services to bring drugs from Thailand into Finland. Authorities suspect that at least 18 separate shipments arrived during the operation. Four were intercepted by Customs, which estimates a total of 22 kilograms of marijuana entered the country.
Sirpa Hara, the lead investigator, said the drugs were distributed locally in Uusimaa, and the proceeds were mostly transferred abroad. Authorities seized approximately 20,000 euros in suspected criminal profits.
“If the entire quantity had reached the streets, the profit would have reached around 450,000 euros,” Hara said.
The seized marijuana formed part of a wider trend in 2024. Customs recorded a sharp increase in drug confiscations compared to the previous year. Marijuana seizures rose to 1,321 kilograms in 2024, up from 465 kilograms in 2023.
Customs said the organisation operated in a structured and concealed manner, with several individuals responsible for logistics and distribution. The narcotics were falsely declared as food products, including coffee, tea, and dried chili.
One of the shipments was received by a 14-year-old, recruited by the group to act as a recipient. Hara called the involvement of a minor a serious element in the case.
The investigation identified 26 criminal offences, including aggravated narcotics offences, aiding and abetting such offences, aggravated and standard money laundering, protection of an offender, and unauthorised use of narcotics.
Authorities suspect that the proceeds of the operation were laundered through asset concealment and that encrypted messaging applications were used to help shield a suspect from law enforcement.
The core organisers are three foreign nationals born in the 1990s. Another 14 individuals are suspected of receiving marijuana in Finland. Some of the suspects are currently in detention.
The investigation included international cooperation and has now been submitted to the Southern Finland Prosecution District for consideration of charges.
HT
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Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi
