Helsinki police detain over 1,000 wanted individuals in three-week operation

Helsinki police have apprehended more than 1,000 individuals listed in active arrest warrants during a three-week intensive search operation, the force announced Friday.

The campaign, which concluded this month, cleared 1,100 outstanding warrants and resulted in 609 interrogations. Officers detained 27 individuals serving prison sentences, 19 facing trial, 89 summoned to court, and 37 subject to imprisonment for unpaid fines. An additional 74 people were taken into custody for questioning.

Superintendent Jere Roimu, head of the alert and surveillance unit, reported that the operation also uncovered secondary criminal activity. Police filed 37 new crime reports and issued 29 fines, including four cases of aggravated drug offenses, 16 drug-related crimes, and 12 instances of drug use violations.

Authorities confiscated approximately three kilograms of various narcotics—including amphetamine, marijuana, alpha-PVP, and prescription medications—as well as one firearm, ammunition, and €6,310 in cash.

The police stated that similar intensified search projects will be organized in the future.