Significant drug case begins at Helsinki District Court involving international criminal organization

A significant drug case has commenced at the Helsinki District Court, involving an extensive international criminal organization led by Polish individuals. The investigation, dubbed Operation Sunset, targets 25 defendants facing various charges, including serious drug offenses, attempted murder, money laundering, and serious violations related to firearms and kidnapping. Sentencing requests range from a few months to over a decade. Four defendants are facing a request for 13 years, while eight others may receive sentences between five to nine years.

Prosecutors believe that the criminal group’s activities began in late summer 2022. It is suspected that they imported precursors for narcotics primarily from Asia to Europe. Additionally, the group is accused of manufacturing drugs in several European countries and distributing finished products, including cocaine, amphetamines, and Alpha-PVP, to various nations, including Finland. According to police estimates, the quantity of drugs distributed in Finland is described as “exceptionally large,” with a resale value exceeding €11 million.

Some related events have already been processed in court, with three individuals arrested in 2023 at a cabin in Kirkkonummi while engaged in the crystallization of amphetamine oil. In December, the Eastern Uusimaa District Court sentenced three men to prison terms. Various private residences and cabins have played roles in the operation, with some properties acquired through platforms like Airbnb for crystallization and manufacturing activities.

The case continues to evolve as the court proceedings unfold.