The Kainuu Border Guard is investigating an extensive case involving suspected aggravated organisation of illegal entry, aggravated theft and human trafficking.
Border authorities suspect that two forestry companies registered in Sotkamo arranged for people to enter or through Finland – but their visas or residence permits were based on false information.
Sotkamo is in the Kainuu region of eastern Finland, roughly 100km from the Russian border. It's 40km from the regional capital, Kajaani, where the Kainuu Border Guard is based.
The two companies have brought at least 179 workers into the country since last year, but the Border Guard says that they have not actually offered jobs to all of them.
HS: 50 forest labourers lured from Nepal
The newspaper Helsingin Sanomat reports on Friday that more than 50 Nepalese people are suspected of being victims of human trafficking in Finland. According to the paper, they were lured to Finland to work in the forestry sector under false pretences. The Kainuu Border Guard has declined to comment on the HS report.
Five people are in custody on suspicion of aggravated organisation of illegal immigration. The criminal activity is believed to have taken place last year and this year.
According to the Kainuu Border Guard, the preliminary investigation into the suspected crime is still in its early stages. The deadline for filing charges is the end of January.
