Laurence Dollimore
A MARBELLA-based expat who ‘partied with Conor McGregor’ has been released on bail as part of Finland’s biggest EVER drugs probe.
Bikini-fitness model Sofia Belorfia, 29, was seized in Helsinki alongside her well-connected boyfriend Niko Ranta-aho last month.
The former Bikini-Fitness World Champion (2015) stands accused of money laundering, while Ranta-aho, the former owner of upmarket Teatro restaurant in Puerto Banus, has been charged with ‘serious drug offences’ relating to cocaine and steroids.
Ranta-aho, who owns ER Properties, remains locked up in the Finnish capital and has had €4 million worth of assets frozen while Belorfia has been released on bail.
Lead investigator Kaarlo Lehmus has described the drug probe as the ‘most extensive’ in the country’s history.
The leader of the Finnish Hells Angels and a police officer have also been arrested as part of the investigation.
Belorfia has frequently been in the limelight and the Olive Press can reveal she was one of 10 women pictured returning to UFC fighter Conor McGregor’s hotel room in London after a night of partying in 2017.
The high profile Instagrammer – who has been served a gag order by the Finnish courts this week – had spent all night partying with the Dubliner at the legendary Cirque le Soir nightclub.
A well placed source who identified Belorf in the set of photos taken by the Sun, told this paper last night: “After Belorf won the bikini fitness title she attempted to establish herself as a personal trainer of some kind.
“However, it seems that she was keen to get money as quickly as possible by other means.”
The source added that Ranta-aho first lived in Banus’s exclusive Gray D’Albion building and drove a Lamborghini and Mercedes jeep, both of which are now sold.
“After that he’s had numerous cars such as a Bentley, Rolls, Ferrari and the latest he used to drive before his arrest was AMG Mercedes with British plates,” the source said.
Belorfia, who ran a blog on the costa, met Ranta-aho in London before the pair ‘fell in love in Ibiza’.
The so-called ‘power couple’ are now facing 10 years behind bars while most details of the case are being kept extremely secret by Finland authorities.
One well placed estate agent in Marbella described Ranta-aho as ‘always appearing so calm and professional and always super friendly.’
He added: “He seemed so successful so young, but everyone said it was down to having a very wealthy father.”
The pair were well connected in Marbella and were often seen at luxury clubs like Olivia Valere and Nikki Beach.
Guardia Civil told the Olive Press this week that the investigation into Ranta-aho has been closed in Spain and there are ‘no warrants for his arrest’.
The investigation continues in Finland.
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CORRECTION: A previous version of this article stated that Niko Ranta-Aho is the owner of Teatro Marbella. Niko sold the club last year and is no longer involved with the venue
