Finnish customs seize record 60 kg of alpha-PVP hidden in forest

Finnish Customs has confiscated the largest single batch of the synthetic drug alpha-PVP in the country’s history, with 60 kilograms discovered hidden in woodland areas of Sipoo, reports public broadcaster Yle. The street value of the seized drugs is estimated at up to €12 million.

The operation followed an investigation into two Lithuanian suspects who arrived in Finland in January. Authorities tracked them to a forested area in Sipoo National Park, where they spent several hours. A subsequent search uncovered ten hidden stashes containing roughly 60 kg of alpha-PVP—enough for approximately 2.4 million individual doses.

“This is the largest single seizure of alpha-PVP ever recorded in Finland,” said Riku Partanen, lead investigator at Finnish Customs. “As authorities have repeatedly warned, we expected seizure quantities to rise, and this confirms the growing use of alpha-PVP.” Last year, Customs confiscated 10.6 kg of the drug, compared to less than 0.5 kg annually in previous years.

Two individuals remain in custody on suspicion of aggravated drug offences. The investigation also involved cooperation with domestic and international law enforcement, including field support from the Eastern Uusimaa Police.

A separate search in Salo in March uncovered an additional four kilograms of mephedrone, another synthetic stimulant, hidden in woodland caches. The seized mephedrone—classified as an illegal drug in Finland since 2011—could have produced 20,000–40,000 doses with a street value of around €150,000. Authorities believe the same suspects were involved in both cases.

The case is expected to proceed to prosecution after Easter.