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Illegal Snus Trade Flourishing Online

Illegal trade of smokeless tobacco known as snus, or Swedish snuff, runs rampant in online discussion forums. Police monitoring internet crimes does not have enough forces to deal with all the users engaged in the trade.

Useita nuuskapurkkeja pakkauksessa.
Nuuskan myynti on ollut Suomessa laitonta jo vuodesta 1995. Image: YLE

The Finnish Customs Agency says that no less snus crosses the border into Finland now than it did before, despite last October's tobacco legislation further limiting imports. The law also forbids ordering snus online from abroad.

According to the National Bureau of Investigation’s Jussi Hyysalo, the authorities are interested in acting against snus traffickers, but scarce online crime fighting resources must be devoted to more serious crimes like human trafficking and fraud.

Hyysalo recommends that citizens get in touch with their local police force if they become aware of online arrangements for illegal snus trafficking.

Sources: YLE