Swedish customs seize around 1.4 tons of cocaine in one of the country’s largest-ever drug busts

COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) — Swedish customs made one of the country’s biggest-ever cocaine seizures after confiscating around 1.4 tons of the drug last week in a port near Stockholm, an official told Swedish television on Tuesday.

“If it is as big as we think, it is one of the biggest seizures ever made,” Stefan Granath of Swedish customs told broadcaster SVT, adding they were still waiting for a precise figure of how much was found.

The drug was discovered in a container in the Nynashamn port, south of Stockholm, on April 18, Granath said. Six men have been arrested on suspicion of involvement in its transport.

Granath said the drug likely was meant for the European market and that Sweden was only a transit country.

“Just five to 10 years ago, it was very unusual to seize only 100 kilograms (220.5 pounds),” Granath told SVT.

The volume of cocaine seized by Swedish customs peaked in 2022, when 822 kilograms (1,812 pounds) were confiscated, according to official figures. This was more than 300 kilograms (661 pounds) more than the previous record set in 2018.

Swedish radio said the figure reflected more efficient search methods and an increase in the flow of drugs in general.