Finnish Customs uncovered a major drug smuggling organisation – nearly 150 kilos of narcotics worth 2.5 million euros were imported
In the spring of 2024, Customs revealed a narcotics import and distribution organisation consisting of several Latvian individuals. The narcotics were imported to Finland from Latvia in postal consignments and they were stored as well as distributed onward in Eastern and Western Finland. Customs emphasises that the international, continuous exchange of information between the authorities is a key factor in the effective fight against drug-related crime.
In the beginning of March, Customs stopped two individuals who arrived in Finland from Latvia via Estonia and Customs seized from them a large quantity of narcotics. The narcotics were intended for further distribution in Finland. During Customs preliminary investigation, it was established that the individuals were part of an import and distribution organisation led from Latvia.
The criminal organisation operated by sending consignments containing narcotics from Latvia to Finland, after which individuals belonging to the organisation arrived in Finland to retrieve the consignments, store the narcotics and distribute them to buyers.
– Customs’ strong expertise as supervisor of goods traffic and as expert in foreign trade logistics plays a key role in exposing narcotics offences. This is essential for the overall security of society, emphasises Director of Enforcement Hannu Sinkkonen, Head of Customs Investigation.
The case was investigated as several aggravated narcotics offences
During Customs’ preliminary investigation, it was established that postal consignments containing narcotics were sent to Finland 28 times in all. Customs suspects that the organisation smuggled to Finland altogether around 146 kilos of amphetamines, around 1.6 kilos of cocaine as well as smaller quantities of other drugs. The street value of the narcotics was around 2.5 million euros in total, and the number of single doses over 600 000.
Finnish Customs has investigated the case as several aggravated narcotics offences. Four individuals are detained in connection with the criminal case. The preliminary investigation is concluded and the matter has been forwarded to the prosecution district of Southern Finland for consideration of charges.
– Finnish Customs is still cooperating with the Latvian law enforcement authorities with the aim of uncovering the whole organisation in Latvia, says Tatu Suvikas, Investigator in Charge.
Real-time, international exchange of information between authorities is central to the fight against cross-border drug crimes
Customs prevents the entry into the country of prohibited and restricted products, thereby preventing the social and economic harm caused by the use of these products in our society.
The fight against drug-related crime is one of the key sectors where Customs directs its resources. The quantities of narcotics seized by Customs have increased since last year. Effective detection of drug-related crime requires both national and international cooperation across the law enforcement sector.
- We have a constant information exchange in real-time with other countries, which is essential for the effective prevention of organised and international crime. In addition to imposing criminal liability and preventing narcotics from entering the market, our goal is of course to make criminal activities financially unprofitable, Sinkkonen concludes.