Police seize cannabis from group of teens near Espoo's Lippulaiva mall

Police on patrol near Espoonlahti's Lippulaiva shopping centre apprehended a cohort of about ten adolescents, aged between 15 and 17, on a Saturday night last week. Officers recovered cannabis from the suspects, prompting a drug-offence investigation overseen by crime commissioner Tanja Taulo. While the inquiry is in its early stages, authorities have found no evidence of organized-crime ties, noting that the youths operated both singly and in small groups.

The detained individuals represent a mix of Finnish and immigrant backgrounds. The incident follows earlier reports of frequent youth disturbances around the Lippulaiva area, including fights, vandalism and substance use. In a separate case, police are also probing a 15-year-old alleged to have pressured a younger child to obtain drugs, a charge enabled by a new law that took effect in summer 2025. Taulo emphasized that the police are closely monitoring violent behaviour among 15-17-year-olds and intervening early on even minor suspicions.