The Police: 600 gang criminals control from abroad

Around 600 gang criminals are engaged in serious organized crime in Sweden from abroad, according to a new survey by the police's national operational department, Noa. National Police Commissioner Petra Lundh tells SVT that the individuals are scattered across 57 countries around the world.

» Updated:

» Published:

The Police: 600 gang criminals control from abroad
Photo: Johan Nilsson/TT

Share this article

Partly, they are in Europe, we have a lot in Spain, on the Balkans, but it's also the Middle East, North Africa, and some in South America, says Lundh in SVT's 30 minutes.

The mapping consists of actors in the top and middle tiers of the criminal hierarchy and are either Swedish citizens or have strong ties to Sweden.

The individuals have, according to the police, established themselves abroad partly to get close to criminal core activities such as drug trafficking, and partly to avoid the Swedish legal system.

The problem may be that many have dual citizenship. Normally, other states do not extradite their own citizens, so you have to do something else. Then you have to think about whether you can prosecute them in the country they are in.

Around a quarter, 150 out of 600, are detained or internationally wanted.

The National Police Commissioner says to SVT that international cooperation within the EU, Europol, and Interpol works well, but that the structure within the serious organized crime makes it difficult to reach the highest-ranking actors.

It's really a complex, international, global problem.

Tags

Author

TTT
By TTEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for local and international readers

More news

Kramfors Residents Urged to Boil Drinking Water Due to Contamination

Kramfors Residents Urged to Boil Drinking Water Due to Contamination

Uddevalla Municipality Files Police Report on Home Care Service Issues

Uddevalla Municipality Files Police Report on Home Care Service Issues

Girl in Bålsta Suspected of Planning School Murder

Girl in Bålsta Suspected of Planning School Murder

Seven Detained in Major Raid on Waterpipe Tobacco Tax Evasion Network

Seven Detained in Major Raid on Waterpipe Tobacco Tax Evasion Network

Police Confident in Reversing Gang Violence Trend

Police Confident in Reversing Gang Violence Trend

Three Swedes Arrested in Portugal for Elderly Fraud Scheme

Three Swedes Arrested in Portugal for Elderly Fraud Scheme

Sweden Boosts Civil Defense Budget by 3 Billion Kronor

Sweden Boosts Civil Defense Budget by 3 Billion Kronor

Four Sentenced to Prison for Taking Girl Abroad Against Her Will

Four Sentenced to Prison for Taking Girl Abroad Against Her Will

Protest Near Stockholm Jewish School Targets Israeli Soldier

Protest Near Stockholm Jewish School Targets Israeli Soldier

Opposition Parties Blocked from Summoning Migration Minister to Committee

Opposition Parties Blocked from Summoning Migration Minister to Committee

Decent Jeans Now Permitted in Parliament Dress Code Update

Decent Jeans Now Permitted in Parliament Dress Code Update

Hungary Responds to Kristersson's Criticism: Sweden Is Also Lying

Hungary Responds to Kristersson's Criticism: Sweden Is Also Lying

Live Hand Grenade Found in Malmö's Hyllie District

Live Hand Grenade Found in Malmö's Hyllie District

Government to Invest 4.3 Billion Kronor in Schools Next Year

Government to Invest 4.3 Billion Kronor in Schools Next Year

Sweden's Agenda 2030 Efforts Face Criticism for Lack of Direction

Sweden's Agenda 2030 Efforts Face Criticism for Lack of Direction

Only One of 80 Large Shelters in Sweden Upgraded

Only One of 80 Large Shelters in Sweden Upgraded

Summer Train Punctuality in Sweden Improves Slightly

Summer Train Punctuality in Sweden Improves Slightly

New Resistance Emerges Against EU's Controversial Surveillance Law

New Resistance Emerges Against EU's Controversial Surveillance Law

Risk of Multi-Million Kronor Costs After Miljödata IT Leak

Risk of Multi-Million Kronor Costs After Miljödata IT Leak

Pro-Palestinian Protest at Stockholm Jewish School Sparks Political Outrage

Pro-Palestinian Protest at Stockholm Jewish School Sparks Political Outrage