U.S. Department of State
1996 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report, March 1997
United States Department of State
Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs
FINLAND
I. Summary
Finland is not a significant narcotics trafficking or money laundering
country. Illicit narcotics cultivation/production is not a problem. However,
Finnish authorities are concerned that increasing drug-related arrests
indicate a rising trend of Finnish citizens' involvement in the illicit drug
culture. In 1996, the Government of Finland (GOF) distributed new
counternarcotics educational material to assist educators and health workers
to combat drug use. Finnish law enforcement authorities are efficient and
effective. GOF officials believe tight controls on the Russian border have
effectively controlled cross-border drug trafficking to Finland. Finland is a
party to the 1988 UN Convention .
II. Status of Country
The GOF does not maintain statistics on drug use. However, Finnish law
enforcement authorities estimate there are approximately 5,000 drug addicts
and approximately 50,000 drug users.
Finland is not a major financial center or a tax haven. Money laundering is
not considered to be a significant problem. Finland enacted legislation
criminalizing money laundering in 1994. Finnish authorities prosecuted a
small group of individuals for narcotics-related money laundering in 1996.
The GOF tightly controls the distribution of the 22 key precursor chemicals
which could be used for cocaine, amphetamine and heroin production.
III. Country Action Against Drugs in 1996
Policy Initiatives. The GOF organized a committee of justice, public
health, social, and welfare experts who developed and distributed information
material to educators, social workers and physicians for their antidrug
efforts. The committee's objective was to raise awareness of recreational
drug users and small-scale dealers on the health and criminal justice
consequences of illicit drug use.
Finland is a member of the UNDCP. The majority of the GOF's counternarcotics
assistance to drug producing and transit countries has been channeled through
the UNDCP.
Law Enforcement Efforts. Finnish law enforcement authorities are
effective and efficient. In the first nine months of 1996 they seized 57 kgs
of hashish, 38 gms of cocaine 5 kgs of heroin, 15 kgs of amphetamines and very
small amounts of LSD. Approximately 4,300 suspects were arrested for
drug-related offenses in Finland during the year, compared to 3,900 arrests in
1995.
Agreements and Treaties. Finland is a party to the 1988 UN Convention
and is meeting the Convention's requirements. Existing Finnish
counternarcotics legislation covers the use, sale and transport of narcotic
substances, as well as extradition, law enforcement cooperation, chemical
precursor and money laundering controls. Finland is also a party to the 1961
UN Single Convention and its 1972 Protocol, as well as the 1971 UN Convention
on Psychotropic Substances.
Drug Flow/Transit. Most illicit drugs originating from South America and
Asia entering Finland transit the Netherlands and Sweden via car and passenger
and/or cargo ferries. Amphetamine trafficking from Estonia has increased.
Finnish and Estonian law enforcement officials are cooperating closely to
combat this trade.
Corruption. Drug-related corruption among public officials has not been a
problem in Finland. There are no recorded cases of Finnish government
officials involved in narcotics-related crimes.
Cultivation/Production. Cultivation or production of narcotics is not a
problem in Finland. Finnish authorities believe very small amounts of
cannabis are cultivated for personal use.
Demand Reduction. The GOF's antidrug programs generally emphasize
treatment rather than punishment. The Finnish Ministry of Social Affairs and
Health is primarily responsible for drug abuse treatment and prevention
programs.
IV. US Policy Initiatives and Programs
There is excellent drug enforcement cooperation between the USG and GOF.
Finnish authorities take advantage of drug-related training opportunities
offered by the US. In 1996, 17 Finnish counternarcotics officials visited the
US to learn about counternarcotics policies and law enforcement techniques.
The Road Ahead. The USG will maintain its close law enforcement
cooperation with Finnish authorities. The US will encourage GOF active
involvement in UNDCP and Finland's continued law enforcement assistance to
Estonia and other countries in the region.
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