The Finnish police conducted a nationwide narcotics offence monitoring campaign during weeks 42 and 43 in October.
“During the two-week monitoring period, the police successfully uncovered various drugs offences. More firearms were seized and more cash confiscated in searches performed during the campaign than in the last few years,” said Chief Superintendent Teemu Saukoniemi .
Police departments reported 154 narcotics offences, 248 cases of unlawful use of narcotics and 14 aggravated narcotics offences during the campaign. In addition, 59 cases of drunk driving were detected and 68 wanted individuals apprehended.
Of the total of 156 people apprehended as suspects in an offence, 33 were arrested and 8 detained. The number of house searches totalled 160 and 82 searches of an area were conducted.
The monitoring campaign resulted in the confiscation of 2.8 kilos of amphetamine, 13.3 kilos of marihuana, 900 grammes of hashish, 410 cannabis plants, 800 tablets of ecstasy, 130 grammes of methamphetamine and 11 grammes of cocaine. Several hundred tablets of various narcotic agents, most of them Rivotril tablets, were seized.
No Fentanyl, which is still relatively uncommon in Finland, its derivatives, or heroin, were detected during the campaign.
“All in all, of the 454 suspects subjected to police measures, 12 were under 18 years of age. 35 persons were apprehended for the first time for a drug offence,” says Chief Superintendent Saukoniemi.
A total of 22 firearms were seized in firearms offences uncovered in connection with the intensive monitoring operation. Moreover, the police confiscated more than EUR 48,000 in cash.
For the crimes uncovered during the operation, 95 requests for fines were issued and 90 cases were transferred to the public prosecutor. The police also issued 39 formal notices.
The police conducted an intensive narcotics offence monitoring campaign during weeks 42 and 43 in October. All police departments in Finland participated in the operation, each by conducting monitoring in accordance with their own plans.
Police departments will communicate the results of the campaign at their discretion.
