Finnish Customs, Tulli, Finland’s customs authority, counts 14 suspects in the case, with 12 still held on remand.[1] Those with key roles are mainly citizens of Albania, Kosovo and Italy.[1] Some suspects came to Finland only to help import and distribute drugs, while others are Finns or residents recruited through social media.[1] The investigation is due to finish in November 2026 before going to Southern Finland’s prosecution district for a charging decision.[2]
Customs says the group allegedly brought more than 170 kilograms of cocaine into Finland and about 80 kilograms was seized.[1] The group is also suspected of distributing about 92 kilograms of cocaine and four kilograms of marijuana.[2] A house search also found more cocaine, a fairly large quantity of marijuana and more than 60,000 euros in cash, some hidden inside a computer.[2] The inquiry began in May 2026 after a break-in to a sea container in Vuosaari Harbour in Helsinki.[2] Officers found the suspects’ car in a parking lot in Vantaa and seized about 50 kilograms of cocaine from the apartment they used.[1] Officers also apprehended two people after a backpack handover and seized about 10 kilograms of cocaine from the backpack.[1] Customs seized a total of about 20 kilograms of cocaine from five express parcels sent from Italy under false sender details.[1]
Customs says the organisation had a clear hierarchy with different roles and was directed from abroad.[1] Some suspects only collected parcels from parcel lockers and handed them to another person who distributed the drugs onward.[1] Investigators traced nearly 590,000 euros in criminal proceeds converted to virtual currency, frozen at the National Bureau of Investigation’s request.[1] The inquiry involved several Finnish police units, foreign customs and police authorities and Europol.[1]
