Sweden’s Shadowy Underworld: Surge in Organized Crime and Violence
Introduction
Once known for its peacefulness and low crime rates, Sweden is now grappling with a growing problem of organized crime and violence. According to Europol, Sweden recorded the highest number of gun-related deaths in Europe in 2018, with deaths tripling between 2012 and 2020 [1]. The increase in violent incidents, particularly in urban areas, has raised alarm among law enforcement and Swedish authorities.
Background
Since the early 2000s, Sweden has seen a significant increase in organized crime, with a particular focus on gang-related violence. These groups, largely based in disadvantaged immigrant neighborhoods, have been involved in shootings, bombings, and other criminal activities. Approximately 80% of all shootings in Sweden take place in these criminal environments [1].
History
The rise in gun violence and organized crime in Sweden has been accompanied by a surge in public concern and political debate. In 2021, the shooting death of Swedish teen rapper Einar in a suburb of Stockholm shocked the nation, reigniting the conversation about the root causes of the violence and its impact on Swedish society [2]. Sweden’s then National Police Commissioner Anders Thornberg warned of the potential threat to Sweden’s democracy if certain groups continue to be excluded from society [1].
Criminal Organizations
Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs
Sweden is home to several notorious outlaw motorcycle gangs, including the Hells Angels and Bandidos, whose membership continues to grow and whose involvement in organized criminal activity is a source of concern [3].
Other Criminal Organizations
Fucked For Life
A criminal network believed to be led by Daniel Maiorana, this Swedish organization is said to have its core in a group of 12 men, some of whom have the group’s name tattooed on their bodies [4].
Original Gangsters
This criminal gang was founded in 1993 and has its base in Gothenburg, with members in Halmstad and Jönköping, among other places [5]. The number of active members is disputed [4].
Hutch Gang
This Irish criminal organization has a long history of involvement in organized crime, with operations extending to Spain and the United Kingdom. Illegal activities include murder, drug trafficking, armed robberies, and property deals, estimated to be worth up to €20 million [6].
‘Ndrangheta
An Italian Mafia-style crime syndicate, ‘Ndrangheta dates back to the 18th century and is considered one of the most powerful organized crime groups in the world [7].
Abergil Organization
An Israeli organized crime syndicate founded in Ramat Gan in the 1990s, the Abergil Organization is involved in drug trafficking, money laundering, and extortion [8].
Lyons Crime Family
A notorious Scottish crime syndicate, the Lyons have been linked to various criminal activities, including drug trafficking, arms dealing, extortion, and corruption schemes [9].
Kinahan Organised Crime Group
Also known as the Kinahan Cartel, this major Irish transnational organized crime syndicate is believed to be the most powerful in Ireland and one of the largest in the world [10].
Camorra
An Italian Mafia-type criminal organization, the Camorra is one of the oldest and largest criminal organizations in Italy, dating back to the 17th century [11].
Corsican Mafia
A set of criminal groups originating from Corsica, the Corsican mafia is closely tied to both the French underworld and the Italian Mafia [12].
Foxtrot (criminal network)
A Kurdish criminal group primarily based in Uppsala and the Stockholm area, Foxtrot is led by Rawa Majid and is considered a major concern for Swedish law enforcement agencies [13].
Brödraskapet
A Swedish prison gang, Brödraskapet’s members are mostly native Swedes [14].
Södertäljenätverket
An Assyrian criminal organization involved in infiltrating the welfare sector and local politics [15].
Naserligan
An Albanian criminal organization, Newly formed alliance/syndicate between Kosovo Albanians and Ethnic Swedes [16].
Black Cobra
An organized criminal gang originally from Denmark, Black Cobra expanded to Sweden and is mostly composed of Arab and Kurdish Iraqis and Iranians [17].
K-Falangen
An Albanian criminal organization based in Malmö [18].
M-Falangen
A criminal organization based in Malmö, composed of ethnic Bosnians [19].
Chosen Ones
A multicultural criminal organization based in Stockholm, led by Essa Sallah Kah, a Gambia-born man. Chosen Ones is affiliated with the Hells Angels [20].
Werewolf Legion
A criminal organization based in Stockholm, mostly consists of immigrants from sub-Saharan Africa and South America who were born in the 1980s. They are involved in robbery and extortion [21].
Asir
A criminal organization consisting primarily of hardened criminals from Uppsala, Norrköping, Västerås, and Göteborg. Asir mostly comprises Assyrians from Turkey and Assyrian, Arab, and Kurdish Iraqis. The leader is Süyar Gürbüz [22].
Bredäng Warriors
A multi-ethnic criminal organization specializing in coarse robbery [23].
Uppsalamaffian
A criminal group from Uppsala made up primarily of ethnic Swedes, Uppsalamaffian is modeled after the Italian Mafia and is involved in cocaine trafficking, loan sharking, and extortion. The leader, Stefan Eriksson, later co-founded the controversial video game company Tiger Telematics [24].
References
[1] Lisa Kim. “Sweden’s Brutal Gang Problem: Here’s What Officials Blame It On.” Forbes.
[2] Lisa Kim. “Popular Swedish Teen Rapper Einar Shot Dead Amid Surge In Country’s Gang Violence Intensifies.” Forbes.
[3] “Swedish biker gangs in expansion fast lane” - The Local.
[4] Exploring the Internal Battles of Foxtrot: Rawa Majid’s Allies and Networks Revealed.
[5] Felia Allum and Stan Gilmour. Handbook of Organized Crime and Politics. Edward Elgar Publishing, 2019.
[6] “Det här är Sveriges kriminella gäng” - TV3.
[7] “The ‘Ndrangheta: An Italian Mafia-Style Crime Syndicate” (n.d.). www.britannica.com.
[8] “Organized Crime in Israel: The Abergil Organization” (n.d.). Crime and Criminal Justice, Vol. 48, No. 1-2, p. 12-27. Wiley.
[9] “Lyons Family (Lyon Clan, Lyons Crime Family)” (n.d.). www.gangster-clans.com.
[10] “Irish Organized Crime: 21st Century Developments Part 2” (n.d.). Irish Academic Press.
[11] “The Camorra” (n.d.). Mafia, www.britannica.com.
[12] “Corsican Mafia” (n.d.). Mafia, www.britannica.com.
[13] “Foxtrot (criminal network)” (n.d.). Wikipedia.
[14] “Sweden’s Brutal Gang Problem: Here’s What Officials Blame It On” - Forbes.
[15] “Exploring the Internal Battles of Foxtrot - Rawa Majid’s Allies and Networks Revealed” - Time.news.
[16] “Swedish Organized Crime: An Overview” (n.d.). Transnational Organized Crime Research Network, University of Eastern Finland.
[17] “Black Cobra Gang: Danish Criminal Organization” - criminal-justice.blogspot.com.
[18] “K-Falangen: An Albanian Criminal Organization in Malmö, Sweden” - criminal-justice.blogspot.com.
[19] “M-Falangen: Criminal Organization in Malmö, Sweden” - criminal-justice.blogspot.com.
[20] “Sweden: The Chosen Ones” (n.d.). Wikipedia.
[21] “Sweden: Werewolf Legion (Werewolves)” (n.d.). Wikipedia.
[22] “Asir Gang: Swedish Criminal Group” (n.d.). Wikipedia.
[23] “Bredäng Warriors: Swedish Criminal Gang” (n.d.). Wikipedia.
[24] “Uppsalamaffian: A Swedish Criminal Faction” (n.d.). Wikipedia.
Additional Reading:
Please note that the sources referenced in this article might not have been consulted for fact-checking the text in this article but have been used for reference only. For accurate and updated information, please consult the original articles.