Finnish news outlet MTV.fi reports that Philadelphia Flyers forward Jori Lehtera was questioned by police in Finland about his involvement in a cocaine ring.
Lehtera has not been charged with anything and is reportedly one of 23 individuals being investigated regarding 2 kilos of the substance spreading in the Tampere region — where the 30-year-old NHL veteran spends his off-seasons — in Jan. 2017. He was not present when his cottage was raided over the summer.
Police reportedly have seized 650,000 euros worth of gold and jewerly in their investigation and seven people have been placed under arrest.
The investigation involving @NHLFlyers Lehterä also mentions:
— Alexander Appleyard (@avappleyard) September 26, 2018
Amphetamines.
Performance enhancing drugs.
However, it must be made clear at this point that he denies it, has not been arrested, and the prosecutor has not made any decision on whether to charge him. #Flyers
“We do not comment on this, because this is an unfinished process,” Lehtera’s attorney, Ari Nieminen, told MTV.fi.
Flyers general manager Ron Hextall released this statement Wednesday afternoon:
Lehtera is in the final year of a three-year, $14.1 million deal he signed in 2015 while with the St. Louis Blues.
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Sean Leahy is a writer for Pro Hockey Talk on NBC Sports. Drop him a line at phtblog@nbcsports.com or follow him on Twitter @Sean_Leahy.