Summary
- Europol, the Spanish National Police and the Swedish National Police Authority joined forces for a coordinated operation against a criminal network
- Law enforcement conducted raids, taking down a violent criminal organization which operated in the Stockholm area and was involved in money laundering, illegal gambling and drug distribution
- Five people, suspected of holding key roles, were arrested, while police also seized luxury items, cash and drugs
A large-scale illegal gambling and money laundering criminal network operating in Stockholm, Sweden, was recently taken down in a multi-agency operation. Earlier this week, the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (Europol) uncovered details regarding the coordinated multi-agency operation that sought to dismantle the criminal network.
A violent criminal network operating in Stockholm has been taken down
The efforts of Europol focus on linking international intelligence with local law enforcement action. Such strategic information is used in multi-agency operations that target criminal networks, which often harm local communities and leverage international criminal connections. By providing intelligence data, Europol aids local law enforcement actions and enables them to conduct effective operations against large-scale criminal groups involved in illegal gambling and money laundering, among other crimes. The latest operation saw Europol, the Spanish National Police, PolicĂa Nacional, as well as the Swedish Police Authority, Polisen, collaborate to bring down what was described as a violent criminal network operating in the Stockholm area. The group is believed to run extensive illegal gambling operations and launder significant criminal proceeds, both for its own benefit and for other criminal actors, a statement released by Europol reveals.
Five suspected leaders arrested
The coordinated law enforcement operation resulted in the arrest of several individuals suspected of being involved in the criminal enterprise. Raids took place in Sweden and Spain late last month, with six premises searched in Stockholm and two premises searched in Murcia, Spain. Overall, nearly 150 officers participated in the raids that resulted in the arrest of five suspects, three in Sweden and two in Spain. The suspects form the core of a local criminal network known for its use of violence and intimidation, allowing the group to secure revenues, enforce debts and control sections of the illegal gambling market in the Stockholm area, Europol wrote. During the raids, law enforcement seized luxury items, including watches and other valuables, as well as cash, with everything worth several hundred thousand Euros. A search taking place at a venue in Sweden saw police uncover what was believed to be an illegal gambling club, where unspecified drugs, prepared for distribution, were also found and seized. At the same location, law enforcement suspects that human trafficking may have taken place. As noted, the group is suspected of being involved in illegal gambling, money laundering, violence, as well as drug distribution. An investigation into the criminal network uncovered that their illegal gambling activities had an estimated annual turnover of €20m. The same group is also suspected of laundering its own proceeds and the ill-gained funds of other criminal organizations. Through the distribution of drugs, the criminal network strengthened its local and regional influence, police say.
