In 2025, the Finnish Customs registered fewer narcotics offences but seized significantly larger quantities of narcotics and medicines than previous years, the agency noted in a press release. Seizures also included many weapons and cigarettes.
Crime prevention by the customs had a societal impact of €82 million, with €54 million from recovered criminal proceeds.
Surge in synthetic designer drugs and seizures
The customs seized 2,574 kg of narcotics—over 500 kg more than in 2024—including a record 87 kg of cocaine (30 kg more than the previous year), high-purity cocaine, significant amounts of ecstasy and marijuana (similar to 2024), and nearly 800 kg more khat for a total of 1,140 kg.
The rise in synthetic designer drugs continues; alpha-PVP was the most notable, with seizures increasing from under half a kilogram annually to over 10.6 kg in one year. In October in Helsinki, tablets containing protodesnitazene—a potent new nitazene—were seized.
The customs identified 147 different narcotic substances last year, including 13 entirely new designer drugs; they examined over 5,000 samples tied to offences.
Seized narcotic medicines rose sharply to over 934,500 items. Most contained alprazolam or clonazepam.
Increased firearm seizures and major tobacco smuggling
Firearm offences surged to 207 cases. The customs confiscated over twice as many weapons as before (689 total), mostly gas-operated guns.
Tax fraud dropped notably after the eastern border closure but still involved large tobacco smuggling cases. The customs confiscated its highest amount of cigarettes in ten years, 16.5 million units, and investigated significant VAT and car tax frauds along with smaller snus seizures (1,950 kg).
Medicine offences remained steady at about the same level as last year, with slightly higher seizure volumes (80,300 items)—mainly antibiotics and erectile dysfunction drugs—and included seizures of ketamine (7.7 kg).
Doping offences increased to a record-high (509 cases), with substances like anabolic steroids prevalent.
