Since July last year, gang leader Ismail "Strawberry" Abdo has been detained in Turkey, suspected of a number of serious crimes.
In early October, the Dalen network's designated leader, Mikael "The Greek" Tenezos, was arrested and extradited from Mexico, and just a few days later, a man in his 30s, a high-ranking figure in the Foxtrot network, was extradited from Iraq.
And as recently as early January, Iraqi police arrested Ali Shehab, another top name in Foxtrot.
“Reduced ability”
With the leaders behind bars, the strength of the Swedish gangs has been affected, says Johan Rydwik, Commissioner at the police's National Operations Department (Noa).
Our work in 2025 has resulted in more arrests than we managed in previous years. In total, I believe we arrested around 280 people who were on Swedish wanted lists, and this, together with work at local, regional and national levels, has meant that we currently assess that the networks that have contributed most to the problem have been reduced, he told TT.
That said, it's not as if they've disappeared or stopped generating crime. They've been reduced.
Above all, the gangs' ability to coordinate violent crimes in Sweden has weakened, Rydwik believes. He also believes the gangs' income is decreasing.
It's impossible to say a percentage, but they have a reduced ability.
Complex image
However, the fact that the gang leaders have been arrested and the networks weakened does not mean that the problems themselves have disappeared. Drug trafficking to Sweden continues - perhaps with new gangs, alliances or people in central roles.
My view is that the Swedish conflict map is much larger than what is described in the media. The fact that we reduce the networks, or criminal environments, that have been responsible for a disproportionately large part of the problems does not mean that the problems are gone. It is more complex than that, says Rydwik.
There are concerns that other actors will take their place in the vacuum that arises.
However, Swedish police are prepared for other criminal players to move into the vacuum, according to Johan Rydwik.
We are constantly monitoring it and have never treated the problem as if it were caused by just a few individuals. We really need to focus on new recruitment and the economy.
