Two individuals have been detained in Latvia on suspicion of involvement in illegal drug trafficking, acting as couriers delivering narcotic substances for distribution in Finland. Through international cooperation, the police of Latvia, Finland, and Estonia, with the support of Eurojust, established a joint investigation team. During its operation, an organized criminal group consisting of at least 17 individuals was identified in Finland, including four Latvian nationals. The organized group is suspected of smuggling several hundred kilograms of narcotic substances for distribution in Finland, with an estimated street value of around 40 million euros. The criminal investigation is ongoing.
In the spring of this year, officers of the 2nd Division of the Organized Crime, Serial, and Serious Crime Enforcement Department of the STate Police of Latvia observed suspicious activities possibly related to drug trafficking. Consequently, a criminal investigation was launched under Sections 253.1 (3) and 190.1 (3) of the Criminal Law — for the transportation and distribution of narcotic/psychotropic substances for the purpose of sale by an organized group, as well as the movement of such substances across the Latvian state border by an organized group.
At the same time, through international cooperation, the Latvian police, together with their Finnish and Estonian counterparts, discovered possible links between the cases identified in Latvia and the information held by foreign investigators. In the summer of this year, with the support of Eurojust, the three countries joined forces to establish a joint investigation team to facilitate faster exchange of information and improve the detection and prevention of the criminal activity.
Within the framework of this joint investigation, a large organized criminal group consisting of at least 17 individuals was identified in Finland. Since 2023, significant quantities of various narcotic substances — such as Alpha-PVP, cocaine, amphetamine, MDMA, ecstasy, and others — have been smuggled into Finland for distribution. According to Finnish police estimates, the total volume of narcotics distributed in the country could amount to several hundred kilograms, with a retail (street) value estimated at around 40 million euros. It is important to note that Finnish investigators are still determining the methods and routes by which such large quantities of drugs entered the country. Regarding the trafficking connected to Latvia, the investigation has revealed that Latvian couriers are linked to four shipments of Alpha-PVP with a total weight of 35 kilograms.
Based on information obtained by the Latvian State Police prior to the formation of the joint investigation team, as well as facts provided by partner countries, six searches were conducted in Latvia on October 7 of this year. During these operations, two members of the organized group — couriers, a Latvian citizen born in 1986 and an Estonian citizen born in 1985 — were detained. Both individuals have been issued European arrest warrants and transferred to Finland for further legal proceedings. It is important to note that no narcotic substances intended for distribution were found during the searches conducted in Latvia, while the investigation continues to clarify the detained individuals involvement in drug trafficking.
Within the framework of the joint investigation team, four Latvian nationals have been identified as being connected to the criminal activity. One of them was detained in Latvia on October 7, another in Poland in June of this year, while two others are currently internationally wanted.
The State Police of Latvia reminds that no person shall be considered guilty until their guilt in committing a criminal offense has been proven in accordance with the law.