Sharp increase in cocaine seizures last year
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Finnish officials confiscated a record amount of cocaine last year - many times more than in previous years. Customs authorities alone seized several kilos of cocaine, whereas in pervious years, combined seizures were between 0.5 and 1.2 kilos annually.
The Southern Customs District uncovered an exceptionally large smuggling operation in late 2006. Customs officials noticed that two Estonian men with a drug background were in the habit of travelling to Finland at the same time using different routes.
One of the two would arrive in Helsinki from Tallinn, and the other would come to Hanko by ferry from another European country, after which they would meet a Helsinki man who was also known to be involved with drugs.
The officials were ready and waiting in December, when one of the Estonian men arrived in Hanko again. Police and customs officials in plain clothes observed as the Estonian and the Helsinki man met on a street in the centre of Helsinki.
"They walked toward each other, greeted each other, exchanged the goods, and left in different directions. It was over very quickly", says Tiina Tahvanainen of Finnish Customs.
The Helsinki man gave the Estonian an envelope, and got a backpack from him. The two were immediately arrested.
The backpack contained two thermos bottles with a total of one kilo of cocaine. The envelope contained money.
The third man did not appear on the scene, and he has continued to elude the officials.
Information from the shipping line shows that the Estonian man had made four trips to Finland in late 2006. Customs suspect that he brought in at least 2.5 kilos of cocaine. The street value of the drug is estimated at about EUR 330,000.
The man admits that he smuggled cocaine during his final journey. However, he insists that the previous trips were for pleasure.
Customs officials believe that the Estonian who was caught was only a courier. The missing Estonian is believed to have been involved in organising the smuggling operation.
Customs authorities suspect that the Finnish man distributed the drug in the Helsinki region. During a house search, a digital scale was found, as well as EUR 4,500 in cash, and zip-lock bags containing traces of cocaine.
Tahvanainen believes that the three have managed to sell at least 1.5 kg. of cocaine on the illegal market. The amount is equivalent to 3,000 single doses.
Customs have uncovered other large cocaine operations last year. Helsingin Sanomat has learned that Customs officers confiscated at least a few kilos, but not more than five.
Customs officials plan to give more precise figures at a press conference next week.
Pasi Mettälä of the Customs Service says that the increase in seizures cannot be explained by increased efficiency on the part of officials alone.
"Demand for cocaine has certainly increased", he believes.
Helsingin Sanomat
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| 23.3.2007 - TODAY |
 Sharp increase in cocaine seizures last year
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