Meat smuggling on the rise in Norway

OSLO, Norway, July 17 (UPI) -- Norwegian customs officers said they have seized three times the amount of smuggled meat seized in the same period last year.

Customs officers have confiscated 34 tons of meat smuggled into Norway so far this year, mostly from the Swedish border, Aftenposten said Tuesday.

Authorities said they believe the smuggling has become organized and many of the larger seizures -- some as large as 2.8 tons -- are meant for sale on Norway's commercial market.

Jorgen Solbjerg, of the customs agency, said some of the smugglers -- several of which police say are repeat offenders -- admitted the meat was destined for use in restaurants.

Authorities believe the amount of smuggled meat making its way into Norway is much larger than the amount confiscated. As much as 20 tons of meat is thought to be smuggled into Oslo on a weekly basis.