A crime investigation related to a highly dangerous new drug moved to the consideration of charges

The Helsinki Police Department has completed the pre-trial investigation of several aggravated narcotics offences, which will be transferred to the consideration of charges. As a special characteristic of the pre-trial investigation, it has been revealed that the opioid drug OxyContin has spread in the Capital Region. Users of the drug have developed a strong addiction in a short period of time. The opioid epidemic caused by oxycodone preparations in North America has been in the news around the world.

The organised crime investigation team of the Helsinki Police Department has investigated the import and distribution of thousands of OxyContin-branded oxycodone preparations in the Capital Region.

“In connection with this pre-trial investigation, the police have confiscated more than €60,000 in cash, about 1,000 OxyContin tablets, a kilogram of amphetamine and smaller quantities of other drugs. The pre-trial investigation has included two different branches that are connected to each other through intermediary distributors”, says Detective Inspector Toni Uusikivi, head of the investigation.

The first branch involves a suspicion that large quantities of amphetamine, Subutex buprenorphine preparations and OxyContin tablets have been distributed around the Capital Region. The investigation of the first branch started on the basis of a house search carried out in connection with a pre-trial investigation related to robbery offences. During the search, the police seized over a kilogram of amphetamine and other drugs from the suspects’ possession. The investigation revealed that OxyContin tablets had been smuggled from Estonia to Finland.

Within the second branch, the police have investigated the illegal import and distribution of OxyContin tablets. Based on the investigation, a foreign couple not permanently resident in Finland are suspected of having arranged the import of several batches of OxyContin to Finland. The police have seized a considerable amount of OxyContin and cash from the possession of the main suspects.

Suspected proceeds of crime on street-level sales more than €270,000

The pre-trial investigation has revealed that 80 mg OxyContin tablets have been sold by the suspects online and on the street for more than €100 per tablet. The criminal proceeds sought have thus been significant, because the price of a single OxyContin tablet in Finnish pharmacies is approximately €1.10.

“The pre-trial investigation of the first branch has revealed that one kilogram of amphetamine, more than 1,200 OxyContin tablets, at least 1,700 Subutex tablets and 150 ecstasy pills have been distributed to street-level sales. The street value of the distributed batches of drugs is more than €190,000”, Uusikivi says.

The main perpetrator in the second branch is suspected of having imported at least 2,832 OxyContin tablets and sold them to distributors at a price of €30 per tablet, obtaining criminal proceeds of €84,960.

People have become addicted to opioids regardless of their social status, age or gender

A special characteristic revealed in the completed pre-trial investigation has been the use of OxyContin-branded oxycodone preparations by smoking. A possible sign of smoking OxyContin tablets are different glass tubes and foils on which a dark line remains after a tablet has been heated on the foil.  Oxycodone preparations have been referred to with different names in the user community, such as “contti”, “oxy” and “frogi”.

The pre-trial investigation has revealed that users have developed a strong addiction to oxycodone in a short period of time. Users have used up to ten OxyContin tablets per day, for which they have paid up to €100 per tablet. Among other things, addiction has forced users to spend their savings or sell their personal property in order to finance their use, and to lose their jobs as a result of life-management problems caused by addiction. 

“In connection with the pre-trial investigation, the police have also had to make child welfare notifications due to the use of oxycodone by parents. On the basis of the pre-trial investigation, people have become addicted regardless of their social status, age, gender, or any criminal history”, says Uusikivi, commenting on the dangers of drug use. 

Assessment by the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare: oxycodone can be considered a very dangerous drug

The opioid epidemic caused by oxycodone preparations in North America has been widely covered in the news around the world. 

In Finland, the pre-trial investigation authorities have recently uncovered several cases of the import and distribution of OxyContin tablets, and thousands of tablets have been seized. 
The Finnish police, together with the social welfare and health authorities and the voluntary sector, do their utmost to ensure that a similar phenomenon will not be unleashed in Finland.

In connection with the pre-trial investigation, the police asked the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare for an updated danger assessment for oxycodone. 

According to the danger assessment:

• Oxycodone is a semi-synthetic opioid used like morphine to treat moderate to severe pain.
• Oxycodone causes strong mental and physical addiction.
• Oxycodone can be considered a very dangerous drug because of the risk of developing a psychological dependence and the risk of death and severe withdrawal symptoms resulting from incorrect dosing.
• An overdose of oxycodone or the simultaneous use of oxycodone and other central nervous system depressants may result in sedation, respiratory depression, coma and death.
• Typical withdrawal symptoms include opioid craving, nasal secretions and sneezing, lacrimation, muscle aches or cramps, intestinal cramps, nausea or vomiting, diarrhoea, pupil dilation, chills, palpitations, hypertension, yawning and sleeping difficulties.