Father and sons suspected of large-scale cannabis cultivation in North Karelia

Police in North Karelia have completed a preliminary investigation into a suspected large-scale cannabis cultivation operation involving a father and his two adult sons, state broadcaster Yle reports.

The men are accused of setting up a professional growing facility in a former commercial building in Valtimo, Nurmes. Authorities received a tip from the public, leading to a search that uncovered 241 cannabis plants and a quantity of processed cannabis inside the property.

Investigators found the building had been modified with additional insulation, specialized lighting, and temperature controls to optimize growing conditions. Plants at different stages of growth were separated into individual growing areas.

Following the Valtimo search, police conducted two additional residential searches in Lieksa, where they found 34 and 17 cannabis plants respectively.

Police estimate the plants could have yielded between 10 and 30 kilograms of cannabis, with a potential street value ranging from €120,000 to €500,000.

The suspects have been held in custody during the investigation and face charges including aggravated narcotics offenses.