Swedish Authorities Weaken Gang Networks Through International Arrests and Extraditions

In a coordinated crackdown on organized crime, Swedish law enforcement has succeeded in arresting and extraditing several high-profile gang leaders from various countries. Among those detained is Ismail "Jordgubben" Abdo, who has been in custody in Turkey since July 2022 on serious criminal charges. Additionally, Mikael "Greken" Tenezos, identified as the leader of the Dalennätverket gang, was arrested in Mexico and extradited to Sweden in early October 2023. Shortly thereafter, a senior member of the Foxtrot criminal network was extradited from Iraq. Moreover, in January 2024, Iraqi police arrested Ali Shehab, another prominent figure within the Foxtrot network.

Johan Rydwik, commissioner at the National Operations Department (Noa), emphasized that these arrests have substantially weakened the gangs' capacity to coordinate violent crime within Sweden and have disrupted their financial channels. Notably, the number of arrests during 2025 exceeded previous years, marking a significant success for Swedish police.

Despite these successes, Rydwik warned that challenges persist. Drug trafficking and violence remain serious issues, and the criminal environment is complex. There is concern that new criminal actors could emerge to fill the void left by these leaders. Law enforcement agencies are prepared to closely monitor the evolving landscape, focusing on preventing recruitment into gangs and addressing the economic underpinnings of organized crime.

These international arrests and extraditions highlight the broad global cooperation between law enforcement agencies aiming to combat Swedish organized crime beyond national borders. While the immediate impact has been to reduce gang influence, the ongoing nature of criminal activities necessitates sustained vigilance and comprehensive strategies.