On Monday Finnish police reported a period of intensified surveillance of drug-related crime, carried out in early November. All police departments in the country took part in the sweep.

They reported 140 crimes directly connected with the illicit trade, use or production of drugs, 196 drug-use offenses and 13 aggravated drug offenses during the operation. In addition to these, 72 drunk driving incidents were reported. The police also found 85 wanted individuals during the surveillance.

Surveillance was also carried out online, with about 40 of the suspected crimes being online-assisted.

"Cybercrime has increased in recent years and is also strongly reflected in drug-related crime. The police have developed their operations to help meet this challenge," Chief Superintendent Teemu Saukoniemi from the National Board of Police said in a statement.

During the period of stepped-up surveillance, law enforcement officials seized 1.3 kilograms of amphetamine, eight kilos of marijuana, 900 grams of hashish, 365 cannabis plants and 135 grams of cocaine, as well as nearly 700 ecstasy tablets and about 2,000 other pills.

No fentanyl or heroin found

Fentanyl or its derivatives, which are still quite rare in Finland, were not found, nor was heroin. However, officials confiscated 100 tablets of Subutex (buprenorphine), which is used in opioid addiction therapy but also sold as a recreational street drug.

Seventeen firearms were seized during the operation, along with more than 48,000 euros in cash.

"Surveillance of drug-related crime often turns up other crimes as well. Firearms are unfortunately often encountered in policing today. This was seen once again during this intensified surveillance operation," Saukoniemi said.

Police measures targeted 326 suspects, seven of whom were under the age of 18. Eighteen of them were first-time suspected drug offenders.

Police departments may report local results of crackdown at their discretion.