The rapidly growing trade in products for the green transition has become a new tool for organized crime. In two widely reported cases, large quantities of cannabis resin were hidden in shipments of solar panels that were transported via the USA to Sweden. Now, several people are being prosecuted for serious drug smuggling offenses.
One case concerns two pallets that arrived at Arlanda at the end of July last year. On paper, the import appeared legitimate—customs authorization was in order and the finances seemed correct. But when the delivery address suddenly needed to be changed, a vigilant freight forwarder grew suspicious.
When the electrical company in Gävle listed as the recipient was contacted, the whole thing fell apart. The company had not ordered any solar panels, the woman claiming to represent them did not work there, and the contact details were fake. The Swedish Customs Service was alerted.
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Upon inspection, 497 laminated plastic bags with cannabis were found stuffed between the solar panels. After the packaging was removed, the bust weighed just over 225 kilograms.
– When the shipping company contacted us, we acted immediately, says investigator Sandra Söderström.
Hijacked Identities and Fake Documents
The investigation shows that a 24-year-old woman in Gävle acted together with two men, aged 23 and 31. Customs documents were manipulated to make the import look legal and connected to a completely unsuspecting company.
– The smugglers hijacked the Gävle company’s identity. They used the company registration and EORI numbers, created a similar email address, and gave a false phone number. They pretended to represent a company—and when the invoice arrived, the real company knew nothing, says Sandra Söderström.
The woman claims in questioning that she felt compelled to make the calls after being threatened. The compensation would have been 20,000 kronor. The two men confirm that they know her but otherwise do not comment on the suspicions. All three are now being prosecuted for serious drug smuggling.
Similar Setup – New Pallet
A few weeks later, another solar cell shipment appeared at Arlanda. This time, the recipient was a tile company in Södertälje, but the pattern was familiar. The Swedish Customs Service stopped the goods and found more vacuum-packed cannabis—in total, 90 kilograms.
– There are many similarities in the cases. Drugs are hidden in solar panels from the USA, and forged authorizations and false contact information are used to conceal those involved, says Kristian Johansson at the Customs Service’s criminal unit.
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At the same time, investigators have not been able to establish that the smugglers know each other. It could be a trend among drug smugglers to exploit the green transition.
During a house search, the 55-year-old businessman responsible for the order was arrested. The investigation later showed that he had previously received another delivery from the same fictitious sender.
He was indicted in January on suspicion of serious drug smuggling. The man denies the charges and claims that someone else had access to his computer but refuses to say who.