Police say they have uncovered an extensive criminal network within the trucking sector.
Law enforcement officials are wrapping up an investigation that has been underway for more than two years. It focuses on companies that deliver baked goods and other products to shops.
The main focus is a firm that has delivered items for well-known Finnish brands as well as mail deliveries for the state-owned postal service Itella.
There are no suspicions of wrongdoing by Itella or other supplier firms.
Police believe that the shady transport business was handled by several main companies and about 10 smaller affiliates. The proliferation of firms was used as a way to evade taxes and mandatory payments. Altogether they suspect that nearly a million euros in taxes and fees have remained unpaid.
Prime suspect: I'm just a consultant
There are nine suspects in the sprawling case, including two apparent masterminds. The suspects have denied nearly all the allegations. One of the main suspects claims to work as a respected consultant for major Finnish forest products and mobile phone companies, lead investigator Hans Pirttilä told Yle.
The probe was launched after Eastern Uusimaa police and occupational health and safety officials staged a joint raid on an industrial building in Vantaa, just north of Helsinki.
“Inside we found more than 20 workers, including Finns and foreigners, who were unable to tell us who their employers were, or what their actual jobs were,” Police Sergeant Seppo Rissanen told Yle’s A-studio programme. “We decided that there was reason to immediately begin a criminal investigation.”
Authorities have gathered some 2,000 pages of evidence in the case. The probe will proceed to consideration of charges within the next few weeks.