Finland

People

The human trafficking market in Finland primarily involves labour exploitation, with sectors such as agriculture, construction, food processing and domestic work most affected. In recent years, cases of forced labour have become more common than sexual exploitation. Criminal groups involved in this market operate through both structured organizations and loose networks, often targeting foreign-born workers, including seasonal labourers and asylum seekers. Victims are typically lured with fraudulent job offers and later trapped in conditions of debt bondage. While some traffickers operate transnationally, others maintain personal ties to victims' home countries. Finnish authorities have reported a rise in cases where exploitation begins after victims arrive in the country, rather than abroad or during the journey. Law enforcement operations have uncovered networks taking advantage of gaps in regulatory oversight to recruit vulnerable workers under false pretences.

Human smuggling in Finland is largely driven by transnational organized groups that exploit weaknesses in border control systems. These operations have become increasingly sophisticated, using forged documentation and digital tools to facilitate illegal entry. The most common entry points are the eastern border with Russia and maritime routes from the Baltic region. Since the invasion of Ukraine, a noticeable increase in irregular crossings from Russia has led to accusations that Russian officials were enabling migrant movement, prompting Finland to strengthen border security. The closure of key crossing points resulted in a temporary decline in smuggling activity, though authorities remain cautious about a potential resurgence. Finnish law enforcement has expanded intelligence-sharing efforts to address the growing use of encrypted communication and digital payment platforms within smuggling networks.

Extortion and protection racketeering in Finland are concentrated in sectors that employ migrant labour, such as restaurants and agriculture, where victims may face coercion from both organized crime groups and unscrupulous employers. Outlaw motorcycle gangs, including the Hells Angels and Bandidos, are engaged in extortion activities, often linked to drug trafficking and arms smuggling. Some foreign criminal networks have also engaged in protection racketeering, targeting businesses run by members of their own communities. Law enforcement agencies have observed a shift in extortion methods from physical to cyber-based tactics, with criminals increasingly using online tools to target victims, thereby blurring the boundaries between different criminal markets.

Trade

Arms trafficking in Finland is primarily linked to organized crime groups, including motorcycle gangs and transnational smuggling networks. The market has both domestic and international dimensions, with some weapons destined for criminal networks within Finland while others are transported onward to Sweden and the Baltic region. Authorities have raised concerns about the possible diversion of arms originally intended for Ukraine, although direct evidence remains limited. Criminal actors exploit regulatory loopholes, particularly those related to air guns and weapons that can be modified for live ammunition. Online marketplaces are playing an increasingly significant role in arms sales, with dark web platforms facilitating transactions between buyers and sellers.

The counterfeit goods market in Finland includes luxury items, electronics and pharmaceuticals. Online sales platforms have enabled sales of these products, complicating enforcement. Most counterfeit goods originate from Asia, particularly China and India, with organized networks coordinating their distribution. Counterfeit medicines, especially lifestyle drugs, pose significant public health risks. Youth engagement in these markets has increased, with studies showing that many younger consumers knowingly purchase fake items. Authorities have also reported a rise in the use of social media as a sales channel, further complicating detection and enforcement efforts.

The illicit trade in excise goods, particularly tobacco, remains highly profitable in Finland. Contraband tobacco products enter the country via land and maritime routes, with snus from Sweden representing a significant share of the market. Snus is a smokeless tobacco product typically placed under the lip, it is legal in Sweden but banned for sale in Finland, though limited personal import is permitted. Smuggling operations are well-coordinated, often relying on concealed cargo shipments and personal transport. Authorities have attempted to curb this activity by reducing legal import limits, though demand remains high. The illicit snus trade rivals drug trafficking in profitability, making it a key focus for organized criminal groups. Investigations have uncovered links between tobacco smuggling networks and broader transnational organized crime structures.

Environment

Flora crimes in Finland remain minimal due to strong environmental regulations and consistent enforcement. While illegal logging is rare, isolated cases of unauthorized timber harvesting have been reported. There is little evidence of transnational organized crime involvement in this market. Regulatory measures require forest owners to submit declarations before they fell, reducing opportunities for illicit activity. However, issues such as timber fraud, including the mislabelling of wood origins, have prompted increased oversight.

Fauna crimes in Finland include poaching and animal smuggling. The country serves as both a destination and transit point for the illegal wildlife trade. Seizures of smuggled animals, including exotic pets and hunting trophies, suggest a small but persistent illicit market. A major poaching network was recently dismantled, with suspects accused of illegally hunting protected species. Finnish authorities typically classify fauna-related offences under animal welfare laws rather than organized crime, which can complicate enforcement.

Non-renewable resource crime in Finland is limited, though vulnerabilities exist in relation to gold smuggling and environmental violations linked to mining. Finland is one of Europe’s largest gold producers, and although the sector is tightly regulated, past smuggling cases have revealed gaps in oversight. Indigenous Sámi communities have raised concerns about the environmental impact of both legal and unauthorized mining. While large-scale illicit operations are rare, authorities have increased inspections in known hotspots, uncovering instances of undeclared resource extraction.

Drugs

The heroin trade in Finland is limited, with demand largely met through substitute opioids such as Subutex. The Balkan route is the primary entry point, though there is increasing reliance on northern smuggling routes via Russia and the Baltic states. Law enforcement continues to monitor trafficking networks, although overall heroin seizures remain low.

Cocaine consumption has been rising, with the drug surpassing amphetamines in popularity in some regions. Organized crime groups linked to South American producers and European distributors control its importation. Authorities have reported increased seizures, with Spain and increasingly Sweden identified as the main transit points for the Finnish market. Distribution networks make use of encrypted communication and innovative concealment methods, such as embedding the drug in soil and food shipments, to evade detection.

Cannabis is Finland’s most widely used illicit drug, supplied through both domestic cultivation and imports. Authorities have dismantled local grow operations, some of which are connected to larger European crime groups. Legal ambiguity surrounding non-psychoactive cannabis compounds continues to challenge enforcement efforts.

Synthetic drugs, particularly amphetamines and Fentanyl, dominate Finland’s illicit drug market. Overdose deaths involving synthetic opioids have increased, alongside large-scale seizures of benzodiazepines and buprenorphine. Trafficking networks linked to Sweden and the Baltic region play a central role in the supply of these substances. Furthermore, a dark web marketplace involved in criminal activity – particularly the anonymous sale of narcotics – and operating in both Finnish and English was dismantled in September 2024.

Cyber Crimes

Cyber-dependent crime in Finland involves both transnational and domestic actors. Criminal networks carry out ransomware attacks and other cyber-dependent offences, exploiting Finland’s advanced digital infrastructure to target businesses, financial institutions and public services. Law enforcement agencies have also reported an increase in hacking incidents, with perpetrators using tools such as encryption and cryptocurrency transactions to evade detection. Finnish authorities collaborate with Europol and other international partners to counter cybercrime, though identifying offenders remains difficult due to the anonymity provided by darknet marketplaces and encrypted platforms.

Financial Crimes

Financial crimes include fraud, tax evasion and illicit financial transactions. Investment scams have grown more sophisticated, employing long-term deception tactics aimed at both individuals and corporations. Authorities have uncovered large-scale tax fraud operations, particularly involving value-added tax evasion. Criminal networks continue to abuse financial institutions and regulatory gaps to move illicit funds, often using shell companies and complex financial instruments. While regulatory bodies have strengthened oversight mechanisms, the evolving methods used by financial criminals continue to pose enforcement challenges.

Criminal Actors

Mafia-style groups in Finland are primarily composed of outlaw motorcycle gangs, including Bandidos, Hells Angels and Outlaws – local chapters of international organizations – as well as Cannonball, which originated in Finland. These groups are involved in a range of illicit activities such as drug trafficking, extortion and arms smuggling. Although they lack the rigid hierarchical structures of traditional mafia organizations, their operations are highly structured, with strong internal codes of conduct and formal initiation rituals. Some maintain transnational ties, particularly with Swedish and Baltic criminal networks, enabling them to facilitate cross-border smuggling. Violence remains a defining feature of their activity, with rivalries occasionally resulting in shootings and attacks. Despite increased law enforcement efforts, these groups continue to operate in Finland, often using legitimate businesses as fronts for criminal enterprise.

Unlike hierarchical mafia-style groups, criminal networks in Finland operate with a degree of adaptability. Engaging in drug trafficking, cybercrime, human smuggling and financial fraud, they are opportunistic and respond quickly to law enforcement interventions. They consist of both Finnish nationals and foreign actors, often collaborating across borders to support illicit trade. Ports and logistics hubs are key entry points for smuggled drugs and contraband, with networks using encrypted communication channels to coordinate operations. Finnish criminal networks have been linked to broader Nordic and Baltic organized crime structures, enabling the movement of illicit goods across multiple jurisdictions. Their decentralized nature makes dismantling these networks particularly challenging for authorities.

Corruption among public officials in Finland is uncommon, and organized crime has not infiltrated state institutions in any systemic way. However, isolated incidents have occurred have been reported in sectors such as labour regulation and immigration enforcement, where officials were accused of enabling human trafficking or overlooking fraudulent work permits. While Finland maintains robust anti-corruption mechanisms, vulnerabilities persist in financial oversight and regulatory enforcement, particularly in relation to money laundering. Misconduct involving law enforcement personnel has also occurred, though such cases are typically investigated and prosecuted promptly.

Foreign criminal actors play an active role in Finland’s organized crime landscape, particularly in drug trafficking, human smuggling and financial fraud. Albanian-speaking groups are prominent in the cocaine trade, while Estonian and Lithuanian criminals collaborate with Finnish networks in drug and arms smuggling. Russian organizations, including some with alleged ties to state-backed entities, have been linked to illicit financial flows and cybercrime targeting Finnish businesses and government institutions. Nigerian and North African groups engage in human trafficking and fraud, often relying on complex social engineering tactics. The growing presence of Swedish criminal gangs, particularly those associated with drug-related violence, has raised concerns about the spillover of gang conflicts into Finland. These foreign actors often exploit Finland’s geographic position and advanced digital infrastructure to operate with a degree of anonymity.

Certain businesses in Finland have been exploited by organized crime for money laundering, fraudulent financial transactions and labour exploitation. The construction, real estate and transportation sectors are particularly vulnerable, with criminal actors using shell companies to conceal illicit activity. While Finland maintains a strong regulatory framework, gaps in due diligence enforcement allow illicit financial flows to pass through seemingly legitimate business structures. Recent investigations have revealed the use of Finnish firms as fronts for VAT fraud and tax evasion schemes, some with connections to transnational organized crime. Authorities continue to strengthen corporate transparency measures, though challenges remain in countering the increasingly sophisticated financial methods used by criminal networks.

Leadership and governance

Finland is characterized by strong governance, high political stability and low levels of corruption. Its democratic institutions operate independently, and government authorities regularly publish crime-fighting strategies and monitor their implementation. Political leadership has prioritized law enforcement responses to gang-related crime, drug trafficking and financial fraud. Recent legislative developments have emphasized punitive measures, though debates continue over how best to balance enforcement with rehabilitation.

Government transparency and accountability are well-established. Independent ombudsmen and financial supervisory bodies oversee various sectors to prevent corruption and illicit financial activity. Public access to procurement contracts and government expenditure supports transparency. However, structural corruption risks have been identified in public procurement and foreign trade. Finland does not have a dedicated anti-corruption agency; instead, oversight is distributed across multiple authorities, an arrangement some analysts argue leads to fragmented enforcement. Complex financial structures have also hindered the prosecution of high-profile corruption cases.

International cooperation is a core element of Finland’s approach to combating organized crime. The country works closely with Europol, INTERPOL and other regional security bodies, particularly in addressing drug trafficking and cybercrime. Finland has signed numerous bilateral and multilateral agreements to tackle transnational crime, including human trafficking and financial crime. Coordination with Sweden has intensified in response to the involvement of Swedish gangs in Finland, and law enforcement collaboration with non-EU countries has expanded. However, challenges remain in streamlining extradition procedures and improving cross-border enforcement, with some officials reporting administrative delays in processing international warrants.

Finland’s legal framework criminalizes human trafficking, drug smuggling, illicit arms trade and environmental crime under its penal code. Sentencing guidelines for organized crime offences have been updated to reflect evolving threats. The government has revised its national strategy against organized crime, emphasizing asset confiscation, anti-money laundering measures and enhanced law enforcement capacity. Ongoing discussions have questioned whether current legislation adequately addresses cyber-enabled organized crime.

Criminal justice and security

Finland’s judicial system operates independently and is recognized for its efficiency. Courts handle organized crime cases within established legal frameworks and sentencing guidelines have been updated to address evolving threats. However, a rise in gang-related crime has contributed to case backlogs, placing pressure on judicial resources. The prison system prioritizes rehabilitation, although recent sentencing trends reflect a shift toward stricter penalties. Reports indicate that overcrowding in urban detention centres may be limiting access to rehabilitation programmes. Concerns have also been raised about the influence of organized crime within correctional facilities, including attempts by gang-affiliated inmates to recruit new members.

Law enforcement agencies in Finland maintain specialized units focused on combating organized crime. The national bureau of investigation oversees major transnational cases, working in coordination with Europol and Nordic security partners. The police, customs and border guard cooperation model is regarded as effective in addressing serious offences. However, prolonged investigation times, particularly in financial crime cases, and the growing complexity of cyber-enabled criminal activities have posed challenges. Budget constraints have affected the expansion of police personnel as well as investment in investigative technologies. Some units also report difficulties in retaining cybercrime specialists due to more competitive opportunities in the private sector.

Finland’s territorial integrity is well-managed, though vulnerabilities persist due to its geographic location and participation in the Schengen Area. Security concerns have grown along the eastern border with Russia, particularly regarding instrumentalized migration and human smuggling networks. In response, Finland has increased border surveillance and implemented emergency measures to regulate crossings from Russia. Maritime smuggling routes also remain active, especially for illicit drugs and excise goods. Technological investments have been made to enhance border control while maintaining compliance with international human rights obligations. Monitoring small private vessels along maritime borders continues to pose operational challenges for law enforcement.

Economic and financial environment

Finland has an anti-money laundering framework aligned with EU directives, including regulations to monitor and prevent illicit financial activity. The Financial Intelligence Unit is responsible for overseeing suspicious transactions. However, enforcement remains challenging, particularly in relation to cryptocurrency transactions and other digital financial crimes. Investigations have uncovered the use of Finnish companies in international money laundering schemes, exposing persistent regulatory weaknesses. Authorities are working to improve enforcement, yet criminal networks continue to exploit gaps in oversight. Financial institutions have come under scrutiny for lapses in compliance monitoring, raising concerns about reputational risks within Finland’s banking sector.

The country’s economic regulatory environment is structured to support financial stability and transparency. Corporate regulations are enforced to prevent tax evasion and fraudulent financial activity. However, organized crime has been identified in certain sectors, particularly construction and logistics, where criminal groups use shell companies to facilitate illicit operations. Although corporate transparency requirements have been introduced, detecting sophisticated financial crime networks remains a challenge. Investigations into tax evasion schemes involving foreign entities operating in Finland have further highlighted the complexities of financial crime monitoring.

Civil society and social protection

Victim and witness support services in Finland are well-developed, with both state and civil society organizations contributing to assistance programmes. The national assistance programme for human trafficking victims provides shelter, legal aid and reintegration support. However, regional disparities exist, with fewer resources available in rural areas. Finland also operates a witness protection programme, which includes identity changes and secure housing for high-risk people. Challenges persist in securing witness cooperation, particularly in cases involving violent criminal groups. Legal professionals note that intimidation tactics continue to hinder criminal proceedings.

Prevention initiatives form an important part of Finland’s strategy to address organized crime. Public awareness campaigns, education programmes and interventions for at-risk youth are widely implemented. The national anti-trafficking coordinator oversees prevention efforts, supported by both government and civil society organizations. Measures to prevent labour exploitation have included expanded workplace inspections and stricter regulation. However, concerns remain about whether current initiatives are equipped to respond to emerging threats, such as cyber-enabled criminal activity. Authorities have highlighted the growing role of digital recruitment in illicit networks, which presents new enforcement challenges.

Non-state actors, including civil society organizations and the media, play a significant role in Finland’s resilience to organized crime. NGOs participate in victim support and legal advocacy and contribute research on crime trends. Budget constraints have affected the capacity of some groups working in prevention and victim assistance. Finland performs well in terms of press freedom, and investigative journalism has helped uncover financial crimes and corruption. However, journalists reporting on organized crime cases have faced harassment, particularly when covering issues related to financial secrecy and foreign criminal actors. While Finland’s legal framework protects press freedom and civil liberties, concerns persist about online threats targeting media professionals.