Sweden: Customs can now seize criminals' property

Starting July 1, Sweden's Customs Agency (Tullverket) will be equipped with a new tool to combat organized crime by seizing assets from individuals with significant debts. This reform grants customs officers the authority to detain property on behalf of the enforcement authority Kronofogden, even when the property itself is not directly linked to a criminal offense.

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It has been a wound in the customs heart when we had to let a car go through, even though we knew the person in the car had debts.

Gürsu Öncü, a national coordinator for criminal economy at Tullverket, expressed frustration with the previous system. "It has been a wound in the customs heart when we had to let a car go through, even though we knew the person in the car had debts," Öncü stated. Previously, customs had to involve the police to seize assets remotely, and if police assistance was unavailable, the property had to be released.

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We have needed to let the car go when Kronofogden or the police could not come.

The new legislation empowers customs officers to take custody of seized assets if found during their operations, and to notify Kronofogden about potential assets. While Öncü clarified that customs' primary role is not to pursue indebted individuals but to prevent smuggling, this new capability is seen as a crucial step in disrupting criminal financial networks. The reform is also intended to provide restitution for crime victims who are owed damages, ensuring that those who have been wronged can receive their due compensation.

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It is easy to believe that Tullverket will start chasing indebted persons, but that is not our mission. Primarily, we stop cars for smuggling.