Swedish Police Strengthen International Partnerships to Combat Gang Crime Abroad

In 2023, Swedish police have made significant strides in combating organized crime involving Swedish nationals abroad, with over 200 Swedes arrested internationally this year. Among the notable arrests is gang leader Mikael "Greken" Tenezos, who was captured in Mexico after being on the run for more than a year. This accomplishment underscores the critical role of international cooperation in addressing gang-related criminal activities beyond Sweden's borders.

Deputy Chief of Police Stefan Hector highlighted the success of these efforts as reliant on trust-based relationships cultivated between Swedish law enforcement and foreign police forces in countries with high numbers of Swedish criminals, including Iraq, Turkey, the UAE, Dubai, and Morocco. Hector stressed that "nothing comes by itself" and that building such partnerships requires time and mutual benefits, such as Swedish police offering training in forensics and IT to foreign agencies. These reciprocal arrangements have paid dividends, as evidenced by the extradition of a key Foxtrot gang figure from Iraq to Sweden, and ongoing collaboration with Spanish law enforcement focused on organized crime and drug trafficking.

Despite these successes, challenges persist in law enforcement efforts due to criminals’ use of encrypted communication, which complicates investigation and intelligence gathering. The Swedish Prime Minister, Ulf Kristersson, has recognized the importance of strong international police collaboration in apprehending criminals like Tenezos.

These developments demonstrate that through strategic alliances and the exchange of expertise, Swedish authorities aim to curtail the trafficking and gang crime nexus involving Swedish individuals abroad. Continued trust-building and operational cooperation remain central to these ongoing efforts.