Finnish court convicts 11 men in major drug trafficking case

A district court in eastern Finland has handed down prison sentences to 11 men involved in a large-scale drug trafficking operation centered in Joensuu, with the longest sentence exceeding five years.

According to a ruling by North Karelia District Court, the men were convicted of distributing, possessing, and using amphetamine and cocaine, Yle reports. The harshest penalty—five years and one month in prison—was given to Joona Aleksi Kuivalainen, whom the court found to have engaged in large-scale drug distribution.

Authorities seized nearly one kilogram of amphetamine and around 400 grams of cocaine from a warehouse owned by Kuivalainen in Joensuu’s Käpykangas area. Additionally, over €45,000 in cash and gold jewelry worth €5,000 were confiscated. Kuivalainen was also convicted of firearms offenses and registration plate violations.

The second-longest sentence, two years and two months in prison, was imposed on Mika Lari Petteri Matilainen, who sold drugs via Telegram and Snapchat. The court found him guilty of both aggravated and basic drug offenses.

Five other defendants received conditional prison sentences ranging from six to 11 months, while four were fined. The court noted that three of the convicted attempted to destroy evidence after Kuivalainen’s arrest in September.

The rulings are not yet legally binding and may be appealed.