A newly emerging narcotic substance, green kratom, has been reportedly smuggled into Finland for recreational use, as highlighted by a recent investigation by Savon Sanomat. The Finnish customs agency discovered kratom products during an extensive cannabis investigation. Kratom, derived from the Mitragyna speciosa plant native to Southeast Asia, has been entering Finland via postal shipments and individuals, suggesting that it has become a worrying trend in the country.

Finland's customs authorities have previously confiscated kratom products, with records indicating seizures as far back as 2021. Hannu Sinkkonen, the director of customs monitoring, noted that kratom is a relatively new substance in the Finnish market and that it has been introduced in substantial quantities. This increase in smuggling and use points toward a potentially rising phenomenon in Finland, prompting more stringent scrutiny from law enforcement regarding the substance's presence and distribution.

Kratom is classified as a banned psychoactive substance in Finland and is not legal for sale in consumer markets. Depending on how it is consumed, kratom can act as a stimulant or a sedative, mirroring properties of known drugs. However, its use may also have dangerous side effects, including anxiety, hallucinations, and liver damage, raising public health alarms as its prevalence increases in the region.