An international criminal network is suspected of smuggling more than 170 kilograms of cocaine into Finland, according to Finnish Customs, which has identified 14 suspects following an investigation that began with a break-in at a shipping container in Helsinki.
Finnish Customs announced on 4 November 2026 that investigators had seized approximately 80 kilograms of cocaine and uncovered a trafficking operation involving shipments from Italy to Finland. Twelve of the 14 suspects remain in custody as authorities prepare to conclude the preliminary investigation.
The case began in May 2026 when customs officers discovered that a shipping container at Vuosaari Harbour in Helsinki had been broken into. Investigators found that two individuals had entered the container and removed two bags before transferring them to a passenger car.
Officers traced the vehicle to a car park in Vantaa, where they located and arrested the two suspects. A subsequent search of an apartment connected to them led to the discovery of approximately 50 kilograms of cocaine.
The investigation quickly expanded after officers established that one of the suspects had met two other individuals before the arrest and handed them a backpack. Customs officers later detained the two people and found approximately 10 kilograms of cocaine inside the bag.
According to Finnish Customs investigator Mikko Martikainen, who is leading the case, the circumstances surrounding the container break-in suggested that it was connected to drug trafficking.
“Based on earlier experiences, it could be concluded that the break-in was connected to import of narcotics, and a preliminary investigation was immediately initiated,” Martikainen said.
Further searches uncovered additional quantities of cocaine and marijuana, as well as more than 60,000 euros in cash. Some of the money had been hidden inside a computer.
Investigators also discovered an express freight consignment during one of the searches. This provided a lead that helped expose a wider operation involving cocaine shipments sent from Italy to Finland.
Customs officials found that several parcels had entered Finland using the same false sender and recipient details. Investigators believe members of the network collected the packages and transferred the drugs to people responsible for distribution.
Authorities intercepted five express freight consignments containing approximately 20 kilograms of cocaine. Suspects were also arrested as they arrived to collect packages.
Finnish Customs suspects that the organisation arranged additional shipments and distributed approximately 92 kilograms of cocaine and four kilograms of marijuana. The estimated street value of the cocaine distributed is nearly 14 million euros.
Investigators believe the network operated through a structured hierarchy, with different individuals responsible for transporting, collecting and distributing the drugs. Its leadership is suspected of operating from outside Finland, while other members travelled into the country to take part in trafficking activities.
Some individuals involved were Finnish citizens or residents who had allegedly been recruited through social media. According to investigators, members were sometimes instructed to collect parcels from automated parcel lockers and deliver them to other people. In certain cases, they received collection information only after the packages had arrived.
The organisation is also suspected of arranging travel and accommodation for people brought into Finland to participate in its activities. Martikainen said some individuals received flight tickets and accommodation addresses directly on their mobile phones.
The 14 suspects include nationals of Albania, Kosovo and Italy. Finnish Customs said those believed to have held significant positions within the organisation were mainly citizens of these countries.
Investigators have also followed the money believed to have been generated by the trafficking operation. Working with Finland’s National Bureau of Investigation, customs authorities traced nearly 590,000 euros in suspected criminal proceeds that had been converted into cryptocurrency. The cryptocurrency service provider froze the assets following a request from the National Bureau of Investigation.
The investigation involved several police units across Finland, international law enforcement agencies and Europol.
The case comes as Finnish Customs reports a significant increase in cocaine seizures. By the end of September 2026, customs officers had confiscated 130.4 kilograms of cocaine, compared with approximately 78 kilograms during the same period in 2025. The total amount seized throughout 2025 was 87 kilograms.
Finnish Customs has also raised concerns about the recruitment of young people into drug trafficking activities. Investigators have identified cases in which young adults and minors were allegedly recruited through social media or personal contacts to collect parcels in exchange for payments of a few hundred euros.
Some of those questioned reportedly told investigators that they did not know what the packages contained or who would eventually receive them. However, Finnish Customs has warned that collecting or transporting packages as part of a drug trafficking operation can still result in criminal liability, even when the person involved claims not to know the full details.
Authorities expect to complete the preliminary investigation in November 2026. The case will then be referred to the Prosecution District of Southern Finland, which will consider whether charges should be brought.
