Over 40 people smuggled into Finland from Latvia

Finland's border guards have concluded a preliminary investigation into an international criminal organization suspected of orchestrating the illegal entry of over 40 third-country nationals into Finland. The operation, which spanned from December 2025 to April 2026, aimed to smuggle individuals from Belarus into Finland and onward to other EU destinations.

The investigation, conducted by the Finnish Border Guard's Turku crime prevention unit, revealed that the smuggled individuals were asylum seekers in Latvia. They were transported to Finland via flights from Latvia or by sea through Estonia. Some of these journeys were intercepted in departure or transit countries, while others who reached Finland continued their travel to other EU member states.

According to the statement, both the illegally trafficked individuals and the suspected members of the criminal organization originated from East Africa. The organization is believed to have arranged travel for at least 25 individuals from Latvia to Finland or through Finland to other European countries. One person has been detained during the investigation, and their case is now moving to the prosecution phase.