The group allegedly arranged the movement of third-country nationals from Belarus into Finland.Image: Kristiina Lehto / YleYle News15:53Updated 15:53The Finnish Border Guard has concluded a preliminary investigation into what it says was a migrant smuggling operation run by an international criminal network.The group allegedly arranged the movement of third-country nationals from Belarus into Finland, using it as a transit point to other parts of the European Union.The investigation found that between December 2025 and April 2026 the network facilitated, or attempted to facilitate, the illegal entry of more than 40 people into Finland.Most of those transported had previously sought asylum in Latvia before moving onwards, either by air from Latvia or, later, via Estonia by sea.Investigators say both the smuggled migrants and the suspected members of the criminal organisation are from East Africa.While the authorities managed to intercept some of the smuggling efforts, a number of those who reached Finland continued to other EU member states.In the early stages of the operation, migrants were moved from Riga Airport to Finland on Air Baltic flights. The network altered its methods in January 2026, shifting to an overland route in which migrants travelled by train from Latvia to Tallinn before continuing by ferry to Helsinki.One suspect was held in pre-trial detention during the investigation. The case has now been referred to prosecutors for consideration of charges.