Finland was used as a transit route by an East African smuggling network moving third-country nationals from Belarus, according to the Border Guard. Yle News reported the case on Thursday.

The confirmation points to a cross-border operation that reached into Finland, highlighting how irregular migration routes can shift across several countries. It also underlines why border surveillance remains a key issue when organised smuggling groups look for new routes.

Authorities have not yet released further details about the size of the network or how the operation was organised. What is confirmed is that the Border Guard has identified the group’s activity.