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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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