Swedish police announced on Friday that the leader of one of Sweden’s largest crime organizations, suspected of fueling a rise in violent crime, has been apprehended over 1,600 miles away in Turkey. Although not officially identified by authorities, media outlets have named the man as Ismail Abdo, a 35-year-old individual believed to be the head of the Rumba crime syndicate and accused of orchestrating criminal activities from abroad. Abdo has been a fugitive since 2024, making him one of Sweden’s most sought-after criminals.
Over the years, Sweden, once renowned for its low crime rates, has grappled with organized crime activities, ranging from drug and arms trafficking to welfare fraud, shootings, and bombings that have plagued the nation. These criminal networks have reportedly infiltrated various sectors of Swedish society, including the welfare system, local politics, legal institutions, and education, as well as juvenile detention facilities.
Operating from abroad, leaders of these criminal networks have increasingly utilized social media to coordinate violent acts, often enlisting underage individuals to carry out their illicit operations. Ismail Abdo, formerly associated with the Foxtrot crime network alongside Rawa Majid, another high-profile criminal sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury, became embroiled in a violent feud following the murder of Abdo’s mother in 2023.
Subsequently, Abdo’s Rumba gang engaged in a violent conflict against Majid and the Foxtrot organization. Following a targeted law enforcement operation in Turkey, Abdo was taken into custody by Turkish authorities. The successful arrest was the culmination of collaborative efforts between Turkish and Swedish legal systems, according to a statement by Mats Berggren, acting deputy chief at the Swedish police’s National Operations Department (NOA).
Recent incidents of violence in Sweden, including fatal shootings and bombings, have underscored the country’s struggle to combat criminal activities. In response to the escalating violence, the Swedish government has proposed new legislation, including measures to allow the wiretapping of individuals under the age of 15 in a bid to address the surge in criminal behavior.
According to the global database Statista, Sweden ranked third in Europe in 2022 for the number of firearm-related homicides per 100,000 inhabitants, following Montenegro and Albania. Data from Sweden’s National Council for Crime Prevention indicates that shootings have decreased since the peak year of 2022, while the number of explosions has risen. Insights into a recent Department of Justice memo’s implications for naturalized U.S. citizens, predictions of record-breaking travel during the July 4 holiday week, and tips on staying safe during Fourth of July celebrations amidst an increase in fireworks-related injuries.
