30.7.2013 18:38 | updated 31.7.2013 9:41

http://yle.fi/uutiset/hameenkoski_drugs_weapons_money_laundering_and_doping_all_under_the_same_roof/6755696

Near Lahti, a home and two warehouses have been seized in connection with a stash of almost 50 firearms, large quantities of drugs, a variety of doping substances and stolen jewellery.

The Päijät-Häme police is heading an investigation that is expected to lead to a string of charges including serious firearms offences, aggravated drug and doping offences, aggravated money laundering and aggravated receiving of stolen goods.

The illegal activity came to light in May 2013, when Häme’s emergency services were alerted to gunfire in Hämeenkoski. On the basis of this incident, police carried out an inspection of the dwelling. The police then seized the illicit cache and arrested a 38-year-old man and a 39-year-old woman.

The search also led to the discovery of two warehouses in Lahti, also connected to the arrested persons, in which were found further stockpiles of weapons and drugs.

Myriad illicit items netted by police

From the detached dwelling and the two warehouses, a total of 47 firearms were seized, 18 of which were capable of sustained rapid fire. Eight of these weapons had been reported lost or stolen from around Finland. Nineteen of the weapons are classified as especially dangerous firearms.

Around 9,000 cartridges were also taken by police. The drugs consisted of approximately 2.5kg of amphetamine, around 90g of cocaine, 230 ecstasy tablets and around 100g of cannabis products. The specialised doping substances consisted of around 1,000 ampoules and 5,000 tablets.

The stolen jewellery found in the home were sourced back to an aggravated robbery in 2012.

The pair of detainees are being held by the Päijät-Häme District Court on a string of aggravated offences. Both parties have previous criminal convictions.