Finnish court convicted members of Estonian drug network – 27 people found guilty
A Finnish court convicted 27 people of involvement in an international drug network. The total value of drugs exceeded 40 million euros.
Finnish court convicted members of Estonian drug network – 27 people found guilty
A Finnish court convicted 27 people on Thursday of charges in a major drug trafficking case. The international criminal group smuggled over 600 kilogrammes of drugs into Finland and distributed them in the country. The network's activities were concentrated in the Uusimaa and Pirkanmaa regions between 2023 and 2025.
Of the seized drugs, approximately 200 kilogrammes were the synthetic substance alpha-PVP, which was imported into the country in different colours. Additionally, the group smuggled amphetamine, cocaine and cannabis into Finland. The total value of the drugs at black market prices exceeded 40 million euros.
The criminal group consisted mainly of Estonian citizens. According to the court, it was not a unified organisation, but in several cases the criteria for organised crime were met. The court found that some of the convicted individuals committed crimes as members of an organised group.
Most of the accused denied their guilt. In January, Spain extradited a 39-year-old man to Finland on the basis of a European arrest warrant. According to the investigation, he led the group's operations and hired people to transport drugs through Estonia to Finland by car, also using Viking Line ferries.
Another key figure was a 41-year-old man whose role in organising the import and distribution of drugs the court considered central. The court also noted that the group's activities may have involved individuals from outside Finland, but they were not convicted in this proceedings.
The case also involved acts of violence. One of the convicted individuals stated that another party assaulted him over a drug debt with a metal rod and hammer in a car boot, whilst a third party filmed the incident on video.
During the investigation, Finnish police received assistance from Latvian authorities, including information on the suspected individuals' locations and surveillance material. Investigators also used the results of DNA analysis and telecommunications data. In addition, notebooks seized from apartments on Puistokatu contained notes on types of drugs, dates and prices.
Sentences were imposed mainly for serious drug offences, as well as for assault and money laundering. Some charges were dismissed.
The main perpetrators – 39-year-old Jānis Jakupcevičs and 41-year-old Anatolijs Mihailovs – received the maximum sentence of 13 years' imprisonment. Egon Grossthal (36), Riiho Ootsing (63) and Margo Villemson (55) were sentenced to 12 years' imprisonment. Artur Lember (31) and Daniel Tarve (35) each received 11 years' imprisonment. A further 22 people were sentenced to at least two years' imprisonment.
Among those convicted are also Finnish and Latvian citizens. In total, the court convicted 27 people, including women.
Source: MK-Estonia
Source: Google News EE — Crime (et)