Police in south-west Finland suspect a man manufacturing weapons using a 3D printer. The 40-year-old is suspected of aggravated firearms offences.
Police said the man manufactured weapons considered to be particularly dangerous, as well as firearm parts and weapons construction equipment. In addition to the pieces he produced, he allegedly ordered some gun parts online and built functional weapons from them, according to police.
"This is a rare crime in Finland. Similar cases of 3D printers being used to build functional weapons have hardly ever come to light," Detective Chief Inspector Kristiina Kontio, the investigator in charge, told Yle.
While illegal, firearms and firearm components can be made using 3D printers, as a way to subvert authorities and official channels of obtaining weapons.
The man was initially brought to the attention of police after he crashed into a light pole at a roundabout in the municipality of Kankaanpää. After arriving at the accident scene, officers found homemade plastic gun magazines in his car.
Suspect: Weapons for personal use
The suspect has said during interrogations that he manufactured the weapons for his own personal use, according to police. Authorities also seized several other unlicensed weapons and several hundred rounds of ammunition from the man while searching his home.
In addition to aggravated firearms offences, the man is suspected of aggravated drug crimes. Searches of the man's home allegedly revealed a large cannabis grow house and several kilos of market-ready cannabis, police said.
The suspect was placed in custody during the pre-trial investigation, but has since been released ahead of the trial.
According to the police, the investigation is nearing completion and the case will soon be transferred to the prosecution for consideration.