Report: Flyers' Jori Lehtera considered suspect in Finnish cocaine bust

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Updated: 12:55 p.m.

Finnish police are considering Flyers forward Jori Lehtera as a suspect in a large cocaine ring, according to a report Wednesday by MTV.fi, a media outlet in Finland.

Per the report, using Google translate, Lehtera is one of 23 suspects and has denied committing a crime. The police "made catches" on Lehtera's cottage during the summer, but the second-year Flyer was not present at the time, according to the report.

The overall police investigation, which involves about two kilos of cocaine, will likely expand, per the report. There are seven people in custody "suspected of aggravated narcotics, professional crime, and money laundering," according to the report.

Flyers general manager Ron Hextall released the following statement:

We have spoken with Jori Lehtera and the league office regarding the reports out of Finland, and will reserve any further comment on the matter at this time.

Lehtera, who did not participate in Wednesday's practice, came to the Flyers in June 2017 as part of the trade that sent Brayden Schenn to the Blues. The 30-year-old native of Finland is in the final year of his contract, which will pay him $5 million (he has $4.7 million cap hit) in 2018-19. During his first season with the Flyers, Lehtera scored eight points (three goals, five assists) in 62 games.

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