19 Jul, 2019 @ 15:13
1 min read

Expat Marbella couple held in prison on drug and money laundering charges ‘may have links to Finland’s Hells Angels’ as more details emerge

HAPPIER TIMES: Sofia and Niko enjoying a night out in Marbella

THE expat couple who were arrested on money laundering and drug charges this week have been remanded in prison today. 

Niko Ranta-aho, who runs a restaurant in Marbella, and his bikini-model girlfriend Sofia Belorfia, will both remain in custody in Helsinki, Finland.

According to respected Finnish newspaper Helsingin Sanomat, the proceedings of the court hearing today have been kept secret, apart from the final ruling.

Sofia is accused of money laundering by Finnish police (SOURCE: @Sofiabelorf Instagram)

Ranta-aho denied the serious drug and steroid offences at the District Court of Helsinki, which could see him sentenced to 10 years.

Belorfia, who won the Bikini-Fitness World Championships in 2015, is also denying money laundering charges.

Meanwhile a separate probe is being opened in Spain.

According to local sources, the pair may have links to Finland’s Hells Angels.

It comes after the boss of the Finnish arm of the biker group was hunted down on the same day as Ranta-aho and Belorfia.

CUFFED: Sofia with her dog in Marbella pad (SOURCE: @Sofiabelorf Instagram)

The head honcho will also be imprisoned on serious drug charges this weekend.

Helsingin Sanomat has reported that he is suspected of being involved with  Ranta-aho and Belorfia.

Police have refused to comment on the suspected links.

Helsinki criminal commissioner Charles Lehmus told press authorities were investigating a ‘big operation’, mostly dealing in cocaine. 

Lehmus did not reveal the exact number of suspects.

“When there is a big operation like this, the number of suspects is pretty large,” he said.

According to information provided to Helsingin Sanomat, the case includes several drug types, but the focus is on cocaine trafficking.

According to Belorfia’s defense lawyer Paul Perovuo, Belorfia knew nothing about where her partner’s money came from.

“The police claim it is money laundering if you live with someone who gets caught with funds alleged to have been illegally earned,” he said.

“Sofia didn’t know where the money came from.”

The investigation continues.

Laurence Dollimore

Laurence Dollimore is a Spanish-speaking, NCTJ-trained journalist with almost a decade’s worth of experience.
The London native has a BA in International Relations from the University of Leeds and and an MA in the same subject from Queen Mary University London.
He earned his gold star diploma in multimedia journalism at the prestigious News Associates in London in 2016, before immediately joining the Olive Press at their offices on the Costa del Sol.
After a five-year stint, Laurence returned to the UK to work as a senior reporter at the Mail Online, where he remained for two years before coming back to the Olive Press as Digital Editor in 2023.
He continues to work for the biggest newspapers in the UK, who hire him to investigate and report on stories in Spain.
These include the Daily Mail, Telegraph, Mail Online, Mail on Sunday and The Sun and Sun Online.
He has broken world exclusives on everything from the Madeleine McCann case to the anti-tourism movement in Tenerife.

GOT A STORY? Contact newsdesk@theolivepress.es or call +34 951 273 575 Twitter: @olivepress

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