Gang Leader Ismail Abdo Arrested in Turkey

Ismail Abdo has been arrested—according to reports from Expressen, the gang leader was apprehended in Adana, Turkey. Abdo was detained along with 18 other criminals, according to Istanbul's chief prosecutor. Swedish police indicate that extradition to Sweden could take years.

Ismail Abdo has been a top priority for Swedish authorities since the escalation of the Foxtrot conflict in 2023. A Turkish citizen, Abdo was initially arrested in spring 2024 during a traffic stop in Turkey but was released on bail.

Since then, Swedish authorities have been working with Turkey to secure his arrest. The gang leader is wanted for involvement in murder plots and serious drug offenses.

Ismail Abdo has long been sought by Interpol for multiple cases of serious drug offenses and incitement to attempted murder.

Operation Against 19 Criminals

According to sources from SVT Nyheter, the gang leader and several others were arrested in a major "dawn raid" on Friday night. Reports to Expressen state that Ismail Abdo was captured in Adana.

Istanbul's chief prosecutor claims Abdo was arrested along with 18 other criminals in an operation targeting three criminal gangs.

Information from Norway and Sweden was reportedly used in the arrest.

The suspects' bank accounts, 20 vehicles, 51 properties, and 13 company shares valued at approximately 1.5 billion lira, equivalent to nearly 360 million Swedish kronor, were also seized in the operation, according to the Turkish news agency Anadolu Ajansi.

Swedish police confirm the arrest of a Swedish instigator in Turkey and state in a press release that Turkish and Swedish legal systems have cooperated, with "Swedish police contributing to the investigative work."

"This is a success for us in our international cooperation. It shows that the work we put into reaching those abroad who are instigators and gang leaders is yielding results," says Mats Berggren, acting deputy chief at Noa.

Swedish Police: "A Turkish Case"

According to Swedish police, the Swedish instigator will now face trial in Turkey.

"This is a Turkish case based on Turkish criminal suspicions," says Mats Berggren.

Extradition to Sweden could take years.

"It can take years. It depends on the Turkish legal process. Often, if you want someone extradited who is wanted and they are also being investigated for crimes in the other country, the trial in the other country is completed first," says Mats Berggren.

The Foxtrot Split

Ismail Abdo was long the right-hand man of gang leader Rawa Majid. They are suspected of controlling large parts of the Swedish drug market through the Foxtrot gang.

Today, they are mortal enemies.

The split is believed to be the reason for the wave of violence that has shaken Sweden in recent years.

Detained for Drug Seizure

In the spring, Ismail Abdo was detained in absentia for organizing a drug deal. He was charged with incitement to particularly serious drug offenses and incitement to attempted murder.

In spring 2024, 1.3 tons of cocaine were seized by the Customs Agency in Nynäshamn.