Massive Alcohol Smuggling Case
Image: YLE
Customs officials are preparing a case involving a massive smuggling of illegal alcohol into Finland. Three men from south-east Finland are suspected of leading an organisation that smuggled at least 85,000 litres of alcohol from Estonia to Finland over a three-year period.
Customs officials say around ten people were involved in the import and distribution of the contraband. The beverages were mainly beers, long drinks and ciders.
Little credibility is given to claims by the suspects that the alcohol was for domestic consumption. Officials note the amount smuggled was equivalent to a daily import of sixteen litres of alcohol.
Customs officials say the illegal importers pocketed some 170, 000 euros over a three year period. The State also lost 100,000 euros in tax revenue.
The private sale or distribution of imported spirits to third parties is illegal in Finland. However, the unrestricted import of alcoholic beverages for private consumption is permissible from other EU countries.
YLE