The police carried out an intensive street enforcement operation from 4 to 10 May 2026 targeting active drug sellers and dealers and intervened in their criminal activities as part of its narcotics crime prevention programme. The enforcement operation also produced an up-to-date situational picture of the drug situation in Finland.

Street enforcement as a separate theme

In past years, the police have carried out street enforcement operations focused on substance abuse and public order, particularly during the last week of the school year. During these operations, the focus has been specifically on individuals under the age of 18, and enforcement efforts have targeted the distribution and possession of all types of intoxicants.

“This year, the thematic enforcement programme included a separate part focusing on the street enforcement of drugs as part of the police's narcotics crime prevention programme. One of the strategic priorities of the programme is managing drug-related crime at the street level,” says Chief Superintendent Toni Sjöblom at the National Police Board. 

Narcotics and the effects caused by them are constantly visible in police work and it is important that the police do their part to prevent this crime that weakens the security of society,” he adds.

Enforcement results paint a grim picture

Over the course of a single week, more than 200 individuals were reported on suspicion of an offence. By comparison, in 2024—when the enforcement focus was broader, the target group was young people, and the timing coincided with the last week of school—approximately 270 individuals were reported on suspicion of an offence. During the recent enforcement period, only 15 were under the age of 18. This shows that enforcement at the street level is needed.

The enforcement operation resulted in the filing of almost 200 police reports: 47 for narcotics offences; 18 for aggravated offences and 107 for illegal use of narcotics. When interpreting the results, it should be taken into account that more serious offences usually involve several people who also use drugs themselves, which also reveals offences involving use. Because suspected offences often also lead to the loss of liberty in order to safeguard the criminal investigation, some 90 people were apprehended and detained during the week, with almost 10 of these ending up as prisoners on remand.

Coercive measures in particular are important tools in solving offences. Approximately 120 searches of domiciles and premises were conducted, more than double the number compared to 2024. The number of searches of data contained in a device was also up by around 50% compared to 2024, even though a legislative change that took effect in December 2025 requires the police to obtain a court order to conduct a search of data contained in a device. This reflects the fact that the police are able to professionally assess the grounds for device searches and that this method is necessary for solving crimes.

“Cannabis was seized across all police departments, with the total amount reaching around 15 kg. In 2024, only about 0.5 kg of cannabis was seized. A significant observation is that, based on the seizures, cocaine seizures are just as common as amphetamine seizures, and that the amount of cocaine seized now accounts for around double that of amphetamine,” Sjöblom points out. Over 2 kg of cocaine and about 1 kg of amphetamine were seized, with seizures of both substances occurring at seven different police departments. Smaller amounts of other narcotics and narcotic medications were also seized.

One of the aims of narcotics criminals is to reap as much financial benefit as possible from illegal trafficking, and illegal activities are often under the control of organised crime. Seizing the proceeds of crime is also a focus of the prevention programme, and more than €200,000 in cash was seized by the police during the period of the enforcement operation. 

Police refer substance abusers to treatment 

The programme also focuses on early intervention and referral to treatment. 

“One way, besides other measures, to prevent drug crime and the problems it causes to society is to reduce the demand for drugs, which is why it is vitally important to refer substance abusers to treatment,” Sjöblom points out. 

Every encounter with a user can be the key to a better future if referral is successful and a start is made on finding solutions to their problems. The police are prepared to refer clients directly from their custody into the treatment system if they are told where to send them. In this context, it is also important to note that the harms caused by drugs are generally not only personal but inevitably affect those close to the user as well, which is why measures encouraging to end substance use are important.

As a result of the offences detected during the enforcement operation, 51 persons were referred to treatment, and 28 child welfare notifications were made.