Record-Breaking Smuggling in Norway. Shocking Customs Data

Data published by Tolletaten on January 14 shows that the scale of smuggling across the Norwegian border continues to grow. The increase concerns both the number of arrests and the total quantities of illegal goods. Authorities point to increasingly well-organized criminal groups and greater use of courier shipments.

In 2025, a total of 490 batches of hashish weighing 2,219 kg were seized. This is the highest figure in Norway's history and a significant increase compared to 889 kg in 2024. Over 250 kg of hashish came from postal and courier shipments, although the largest batches were discovered in trucks on land routes.

Seizures of marijuana also increased significantly. In 2024, 652 kg were secured, and in 2025 already 1,504 kg in 745 cases. The amount of cocaine reached 278 kg in 141 cases. Apart from the record-breaking year 2023, this was the first time the 200 kg mark was exceeded in a single year.

Tolletaten also recorded a record in ketamine seizures. In 2025, 48 kg were secured in 40 cases, compared to 38 kg the previous year. Most batches came from shipments from the Netherlands. There were also increases in benzodiazepines – 1,137,008 tablets were seized in 395 cases, the highest in the entire analyzed period.

Seizures of cigarettes also reached historic levels. In 2025, 24,944,663 pieces were secured in 7,691 cases. The year before, it was 6.5 million pieces. According to calculations, this means a loss of 108 million NOK in taxes and excise duties. Seizures of violence tools also increased – to 1,343 items in 1,051 cases, almost twice as many as in 2024.

Tolletaten points out that the growing volume of legal trade makes it easier to hide illegal goods. The same routes, means of transport, and logistics structures are increasingly being used. Data from 2025 show that pressure at the border remains high, and smuggling covers an ever-wider range of goods.