Swedish Authorities Step Up Legal and Police Actions Against Gang Recruitment and Financing

In a concerted effort to combat gang crime in Sweden, significant advances are being made both legislatively and operationally. The Moderaterna party has proposed increasing the maximum prison sentence for individuals who recruit minors into criminal gangs from four to twelve years. Justice Minister Gunnar Strömmer highlighted the worsening problem of gangs recruiting children, notably through digital platforms, and suggested the potential introduction of a harsher offense category for systematic recruitment of minors. This legislative push comes amid recent police operations targeting the financial networks that support gang activities.

On December 4, 2025, police in Gothenburg carried out a major raid against a criminal gang, seizing around 100 kilograms of narcotics and valuables worth one million kronor. The operation concentrated on “facilitators” — individuals who assist gangs by managing their bank accounts and facilitating money transfers, thereby enabling criminal enterprises to function. Approximately 40 house searches were conducted, resulting in 25 people being questioned and five detained on suspicion of drug and money laundering offenses. The lead investigator, Magnus Dahl, stressed the crucial role of these facilitators by saying, “Without them, the main perpetrators cannot operate as easily. Transferring money on behalf of someone may seem innocent, but it is necessary for financing and executing serious crimes.”

The combined initiative of increasing legal penalties and targeting financial enablers signifies a strategic approach to dismantle gang crime by cutting off recruitment pipelines and disrupting monetary flows. This integrated approach is deemed essential as criminal gangs increasingly exploit digital means to recruit younger victims into violent criminality. The recruitment of children into gang-related violence was formally criminalized just last summer, underscoring the urgency and evolving nature of the threat.