Customs authorities in Vaasa believe that they have uncovered an extensive series of environmental crimes. The authorities have seized thousands of eggs of protected bird species. In addition, Customs has taken possession of the carcasses of hundreds of predatory birds and other fowl which had been shot, or which died in other ways.
Finnish Customs has worked together with Swedish authorities on the matter. In addition to violations of environmental law, other crimes are also believed to have taken place.
Neither Finnish Customs nor BirdLife Finland, an umbrella organisation of Finnish bird societies, would give out any further details on the matter. Hannu Sinkkonen, the head of fighting serious crime at Finnish Customs would not even say how many suspects there were, or where the crimes might have taken place.
More information on the matter will be forthcoming at a press conference on Friday in Kokkola.
