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Environmental crimes surge in Finland with hundreds reported annually

Tuesday 23rd 2024 on 04:57 in  
Finland

In Finland, hundreds of environmental crimes come to light each year, yet a significant number are believed to go unreported. According to investigator Tuukka Mäkelä from the National Bureau of Investigation, around 500 environmental crimes are registered annually by the police. The most common type of environmental crime in Finland, as noted by Mäkelä, is waste-related offenses. Businesses or individuals might illegally dump waste in unauthorized locations or transport it abroad. There are also reported incidents involving chemicals and fuels being discharged into water bodies.

The National Bureau of Investigation estimates that the economic benefits of environmental crimes in Finland can reach several hundred thousand euros, primarily due to the avoidance of significant waste management fees. The police indicate that environmental crime in Finland has rapidly increased since the early 2000s. This category of crime is now ranked as the third most financially lucrative in the world, according to a blog post by the Bureau’s forensic laboratory published in July.

Globally, common environmental crimes include poaching and illegal logging.

Source 
(via yle.fi)