Authorities uncover 400 kg hashish smuggling operation in Østfold, Norway

In October 2023, authorities in Østfold uncovered the smuggling of 400 kg of hashish. The investigation into this operation resulted in the seizure of 3 million Norwegian kroner in cash, alongside firearms and various valuable items. Notably, the police and customs officials discovered 1.4 million kroner concealed within diaper packages destined for export from Norway. Five individuals of Lithuanian descent have been charged in connection with the incident, with three currently in custody.

In a twist, two of the accused have recently been identified as victims in a separate criminal case involving kidnapping and gunfire. Police prosecutor Sigrid Fagerli stated that the motivation behind this violence falls outside her investigation’s scope, being pursued by Southeast police.

These individuals are linked to a shooting attempt and kidnapping incident in Drammen at the beginning of November, as confirmed by prosecutor Ann Iren Svane Mathiassen. The attempt occurred on November 1, while the authorities became aware of the kidnapping on November 2, although it likely began earlier. One of the victims remains hospitalized. Mathiassen did not disclose the number of arrests made but indicated that those involved have Swedish, Norwegian, and Eastern European backgrounds.

Jonas Same, the lawyer representing one of the accused, argues that his client denies any involvement in the drug case and has no connections to the incidents in Drammen. The Customs Department at the Ørje border station highlighted that this cash seizure ranks among the largest ever recorded at that location. The hashish confiscation is also noted as the largest of its kind, emphasizing the scale of drug trafficking operations across the border.

Authorities cite previous assessments that identify Lithuanian criminal networks as significant players in the drug trade to Norway, indicating that the threat these networks pose is likely to increase in the coming years.