An international police operation has dismantled a Swedish criminal gang in Spain, arresting six individuals suspected of planning murders. The gang allegedly advertised murder-for-hire services on social media. The operation, involving Spanish and Swedish police and Europol, uncovered further criminal activities, including drug trafficking. The gang's leader was among those arrested, with weapons and other evidence seized.
Swedish Criminal Gang Busted in Spain: Six Arrested for Murder Plots
Swedish Criminal Gang Busted in Spain
An international police operation has dismantled a Swedish criminal gang in Spain. Six individuals have been arrested, suspected of planning murders in the country. The gang is believed to have advertised murder-for-hire services on social media.
On June 29, Spanish police received information that a young man and a minor, linked to a Swedish criminal network, had landed in Málaga on a flight from Gothenburg.
An intense manhunt ensued, and two days later, police located them in the city center, according to a press release from the Spanish Ministry of the Interior.
The pair were arrested at midnight while riding electric scooters, dressed in dark clothing and wearing balaclavas.
Police then conducted a search of the house where the duo had been staying, seizing two pistols and ammunition.
One of them, an adult, was taken into custody, while the minor was placed in a juvenile detention center.
Advertised Murder-for-Hire
The investigation is part of a joint effort between Spanish and Swedish police and Europol. During the investigation, police uncovered additional criminal activities carried out by the Swedish network in Spain.
By cracking encrypted chats and monitoring social media messages, police discovered how the network advertised murder-for-hire services.
According to Spanish authorities, the communications revealed that they offered full service to those taking on murder assignments, including housing, weapons, and even electric scooters.
In addition to murder activities, the gang is suspected of involvement in drug trafficking.
Gang Leader Arrested
Police traced the network to another house in Marbella. During a search there, they found weapons, 15 mobile phones, 16 SIM cards, cash, computer equipment, masks, gloves, and several handwritten notes.
Four individuals were arrested during the second search, including the person identified as the network's leader. They are suspected of preparing for murder, illegal possession of weapons, and membership in a criminal organization.