Swedish Customs Struggle Against Drug Smuggling Amid Limited Scanning Technology

Swedish Customs (Tullverket) is facing significant challenges in intercepting large quantities of drug smuggling due to the lack of adequate scanning technology at the nation's ports. Tony Magnusson, head of Tullverket’s control unit in western Sweden, revealed that only three mobile scanners are currently available to inspect the millions of containers arriving annually. This severely restricts their ability to detect and prevent drug trafficking effectively, resulting in missed opportunities to seize tons of drugs.

Currently, Sweden lacks fixed container scanners, a technology widely used in other European countries that serve as a critical deterrent against smuggling. Despite intensified inspections, only a small portion of smuggled drugs are intercepted. Recently, more than three tons of cocaine hidden in a fruit container were discovered in Helsingborg, underscoring the scale of the problem.

To address these challenges, plans are underway to acquire five additional mobile scanners and construct four fixed scanning facilities, including one in Gothenburg. However, the procurement process is delayed due to funding shortages, difficulties in finding suitable locations, and administrative hurdles. As a result, Sweden may not have functioning fixed scanning stations until at least 2027.

A positive development involves Göteborgs hamn, which has secured EU funding for Sweden’s first fixed scanner, expected to substantially improve inspection capabilities once operational.

Compared to neighboring countries equipped with fixed port scanners, Sweden’s current reliance on aging mobile technology places it at a disadvantage amid increasing smuggling pressures. Magnusson emphasizes that without modern scanning solutions, the security risks will persist, and Tullverket’s capacity to protect Swedish borders from smuggling remains limited.