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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
INTERNATIONAL NARCOTICS CONTROL STRATEGY REPORT, MARCH 1996: FINLAND
United States Department of State
Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs
I. Summary
Finland does not produce narcotic substances or significant quantities
of precursor chemicals. Narcotics trafficking and use remain a minor
problem for Finnish authorities. Consumption, demand, arrests and
seizures of narcotics increased in 1995 over 1994 levels, but law
enforcement kept pace with the challenge. The Finnish government
continued its efficient enforcement of narcotics laws, its prompt
prosecutions, and its harsh sentencing of narco-criminals. Beginning
October 1, 1995, the government of Finland - for the first time -
authorized the use of electronic surveillance by police to target
narcotics traffickers. Finnish officials believe Helsinki's
international airport is becoming an increasingly popular transit point
for narcotics couriers working for Nigerian criminal organizations.
Finland is not a significant money laundering center. In 1994, the
Government of Finland (GOF) passed legislation which made money
laundering an illegal and punishable act. In 1995, authorities used
this legislation effectively to prosecute offenders.
II. Status of Country
The GOF does not maintain statistics on drug use. However, various
government organizations have begun studies to determine the scope of
the problem. Finnish officials believe that demand for heroin is
increasing, but insist the rate of increase is lower than in Norway and
Sweden. Authorities have uncovered and prevented attempts to establish
small-scale laboratories for processing illegal drugs.
III. Country Actions Against Drugs in 1995
Policy Initiatives. Representatives of Finland's Ministry of Social and
Health Affairs are leading a governmental working group to develop a
high-level strategy for combating narcotics-related crime and drug
abuse.
Law Enforcement Efforts. Efficient law enforcement has allowed the GOF
to enjoy a great deal of success on the counter-narcotics front. Both
the customs service and the police operate within a vertical command
structure which allows for the direct transmission of information and
orders. Both forces adapt their tactics and operations to match
changing criminal and smuggling trends. Their close cooperation has
prevented precursor and essential chemical diversion problems.
Agreements and Treaties. Finland is a party to the 1988 UN Convention
Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances
and Finnish legislation complies fully with the Convention's goals and
objectives. Finnish drug law covers the distribution, sale and
transport of narcotic substances, as well as extradition, law
enforcement, transit cooperation, precursor chemical control, demand
reduction and drug abuse.
Drug Flow/Transit. Finnish authorities are concerned about increased
drug flows from the Former Soviet Union. However, most narcotics
smuggled into Finland come from the Netherlands bound for larger markets
in Western Europe. South America and Asia are the other principal
sources. Law enforcement officials have detected an increasing number
of Nigerian traffickers entering Finland by rail or road from Moscow and
St. Petersburg, taking advantage of direct flights to Moscow from
Southeast Asia. Once in Finland, they have travelled to major
distribution centers in Europe (principally Amsterdam and Copenhagen) on
inter-European flights, thereby avoiding customs inspections at their
final destinations. Between 1992 and 1994, Finnish authorities arrested
70 traffickers as they attempted to use this travel route and seized
over 30 kilograms of their heroin.
Corruption. Corruption among public officials has not been a problem in
Finland. There are no recorded cases of government officials assisting
narcotics trafficking.
Cultivation/Production. The United States Government (USG) is not aware
of any reported cultivation or production of illicit drugs in Finland.
Demand Reduction. Finnish demand reduction programs emphasize treatment
rather than punishment. The Finnish Ministry of Social Affairs and
Health is the lead governmental agency in designing treatment and
educational programs to prevent narcotics abuse. In recent years, this
agency has focused its efforts on developing programs that target
Finnish students aged 10-14.
IV. US Policy Initiatives and Programs
Bilateral Cooperation. The USG focuses its counter-narcotics efforts in
Finland principally on training Finnish officials to prevent drug
trafficking and abuse. During the last five years, Finnish police
officials have attended a variety of relevant courses in the United
States, including the International Narcotics Enforcement Managers
Seminar and the International Forensic Chemists Seminar. During 1995,
cooperation between the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and
Finnish authorities continued, with visits to Finland by DEA agents
stationed in Copenhagen who sought to coordinate tactics and counternarcotics
strategy with their counterparts. USG assistance prepared
Finnish authorities to help Estonia combat drug trafficking by providing
training to Estonian officials.
The Road Ahead. Organized criminal activity in Finland resulting from
the breakup of the Soviet Union will continue to pose vexing problems in
the fight against narcotics-related crime. Thus far, Finnish
authorities have kept pace with the challenge. The USG will continue
its close cooperation with Finnish officials, particularly in the field
of law enforcement, and encourage Finland to continue providing training
in Estonia.
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