Finnish police charge 15 in major amphetamine smuggling case linked to Swedish prison network

Fifteen people face charges in a Vaasa district court over a large-scale amphetamine smuggling operation that brought 5.5 kilograms of the drug into Ostrobothnia hidden in a car’s spare tire, Finnish broadcaster Yle reports.

Prosecutors allege the network was directed by a Finnish man serving a life sentence in Indonesia, with operational support from an accomplice in Sweden who concealed the drugs in the tire. The first shipment of 3.7 kilograms entered Finland via Aavasaksa in January 2025, while a second 1.8-kilogram batch followed in March 2025.

The drugs were distributed in Vaasa by a local dealer who had purchased the initial shipment on credit, paying €24,000 before settling the debt. Payments were also allegedly sent to Indonesia from both Vaasa and Turku. Two couriers transporting cash by ferry from Vaasa to Umeå were later arrested by customs.

Authorities seized a three-kilogram stash of amphetamine hidden on the dealer’s property. Two others are accused of selling drugs and collecting debts on his behalf while he was incarcerated.

Charges include aggravated drug offenses, money laundering, firearms violations, and explosives-related crimes. Prosecutors seek forfeiture of €132,000 in criminal proceeds from three defendants and €20,000 from others, with most facing prison sentences. Some suspects have been in pretrial detention.

The trial, scheduled for 13 days, covers events from January 2025 to February 2026.