Seized quantities of narcotics and narcotic medicines increased drastically in 2024 – impact of customs crime prevention at record numbers

Finnish Customs uncovered 5 527 criminal offences in 2024. The number of aggravated narcotics offences increased significantly, and the number of aggravated regulation offences also remains high. In 2024, Customs seized narcotics, narcotic medicines, doping and cigarettes in clearly higher quantities than in 2023. The impact of customs crime prevention on society remained at a significant level, amounting to more than 127 million euros last year.

– As a key crime prevention and security authority, we have succeeded in securing cross-border traffic and in combating customs offences. Also, our international and domestic cooperation in controls of cross-border traffic, crime prevention and other security-related tasks is important, says Samy Gardemeister, Director of the Enforcement Department.

Last year, a point of emphasis in customs crime prevention was the ability to investigate online crime, in addition to uncovering narcotics offences and regulation offences.

– The impact of customs crime prevention and tracing criminal proceeds is very important in Finland’s scale. Last year, the criminal proceeds recovered by the state amounted to more than 56 million euros. Our online crime investigators have succeeded in tracing criminals operating in the Darknet, in closing down servers and in seizing illicit goods and substances. We have also supported and trained other authorities, both domestically and internationally, for example in tracing and seizing virtual currencies, says Hannu Sinkkonen, Director of Enforcement.

Worse situation around narcotics in Finland – need for development of legislation

In 2024, the quantities of seized narcotics were considerably higher than in 2023. Customs seized altogether 2 052 kilograms of narcotics in 2024. The most significant increases were in seized quantities of marijuana, amphetamine and cocaine. Customs seized 1 321 kg of marijuana, 237 kg of amphetamine and 53 kg of cocaine. The seized cocaine was very potent, and had it ended up for sale on the street it would have amounted to a quantity five times larger than the seized quantity. Customs also seized 353 kg of khat.

– The situation around narcotics in Finland has become rapidly worse. The seizure quantities of conventional narcotics are considerable, and designer drugs and narcotic medicines are also being brought to Finland. Both involve the risk of involuntary overdoses, as users cannot be certain of what substances they are actually obtaining. Online sales of narcotics and other illicit goods and items that require permits has made them available everywhere in Finland, which has worsened the narcotics situation considerably outside major population centres.

Last year, Customs identified 152 various narcotic substances, 28 of which were completely new designer drugs. In total, Customs investigated 913 samples of designer drugs, 53 of which contained non-classified designer drugs. New designer drugs keep on emerging, as new variants are replacing the designer drugs that have already been classified as narcotics.

Customs also seized a record number of narcotic medicines, almost 650 000 items. In 2023, the total seized quantity comprised 430 000 items.

– We are detaining high quantities of medicinal substances not classified as narcotics. The use of these medicines as narcotics has increased, as their use results in considerably lower penalties than the use of medicines classified as narcotics, Sinkkonen says.

The controls of both non-classified designer drugs and medicinal substances not classified as narcotics involve challenges in terms of legislation. Sinkkonen says that any loopholes in the law should be fixed, so that non-classified narcotics would not end up in consumption.

– It is also possible that hard narcotics enter Finland if they are not classified as narcotics, as prohibited psychoactive substances or as medicines on the consumer market here.

Aggravated narcotics offences on the increase

Customs initiated preliminary investigations into 562 aggravated narcotics offences, a record number of cases. In total, Customs uncovered 2 055 narcotics offences in 2024, which was 499 cases more than in 2023.

– Especially aggravated narcotics offences increased when compared to 2023, which is an indication of an even more organised and professional form of activity by criminals involved in narcotics. Crime is often of an international nature, and poses considerable challenges also to technical investigation, as investigative work is increasingly complex, says Hannu Sinkkonen, Director of Enforcement.

Doping offences remained at the same level as before, and the number of aggravated doping offences even dropped, even though the number of seizures tripled. Last year, Customs seized more than 62 000 doses of doping substances.

Still a considerable number of aggravated regulation offences – closure of the eastern border still shows in the number of petty tax frauds and regulation offences

Violations of the goods sanctions imposed by the EU against Russia are usually investigated as regulation offences. Finnish businesses engaging in foreign trade are for their part responsible for complying with sanctions.

Last year, Customs registered altogether 99 regulation offences. Customs Economic Crime Investigation continued to investigated aggravated regulation offences, even though the total number of regulation offences has dropped from the peak numbers of the two past two years because of fewer petty regulation offences. Typically, petty regulation offences have been committed by individual travellers and, after the closure of the eastern border, the number of such offences has decreased considerably. The border closure is also reflected in the decrease of other customs offences, tax frauds and smuggling offences.

– Last year, our economic crime investigators processed 35 aggravated regulation offences, which is of course less than in 2023. However, there were practically no regulation offences prior to the war in Ukraine. It often takes a long time to investigate regulation offences, as such investigations are demanding. In many cases, the parties involved operate internationally, and it can be challenging to gather evidence and trace criminal proceeds, says Sinkkonen.

International cooperation also takes place with the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO). Currently, Customs and EPPO are cooperating in their first mutual VAT fraud investigation. Previously, Customs has cooperated with EPPO in preliminary investigations involving additional duties and anti-dumping duties. In total, Customs Economic Crime Investigation is conducting about ten so-called EPPO investigations.

Snus and cigarettes smuggled to Finland in increasing quantities

Seizures of snus and cigarettes increased clearly in comparison with 2023. Customs seized more than seven million cigarettes, the highest quantity in ten years. The quantities of seized snus have returned to a high level after dropping in 2023. Last year, Customs seized about 4 800 kilograms of snus.

Customs seized a total of 350 weapons last year. Most of them, 342 items, comprised gas guns. Eight items were firearms. Seizures of weapons increased in comparison with 2023.