SPAIN, DENMARK, SWEDEN – In a landmark international operation, the Policía Nacional, in collaboration with Swedish and Danish police and coordinated by EUROPOL and EUROJUST, have dismantled a criminal organisation that recruited Swedish and Danish minors for assassinations and bomb attacks.
The operation, funded by the EU’s Internal Security Fund (ISF), underscores Europe’s commitment to combating organised crime and protecting its citizens from emerging threats.
Shocking recruitment of minors
Authorities uncovered a sinister recruitment scheme conducted via Telegram, targeting vulnerable minors. The network lured its recruits into committing murders and other violent acts, exploiting them as pawns in their criminal activities.
The investigation began in May with the arrest of a Swedish minor in Benalmádena, Málaga. The boy, recruited via social media, had travelled to Spain with plans to assassinate a rival motorcycle gang member. Police intervention thwarted the attempt, preventing the execution of a well-orchestrated plan involving an assault rifle and a getaway on an electric scooter.
Simultaneously, two additional Swedish minors were apprehended in Denmark. They had travelled there with similar intentions and were found in possession of firearms.
Masterminds arrested in Alicante
The investigation’s second phase targeted the organisation’s leadership, responsible for recruitment, arms trafficking, drug operations, and money laundering. The central hub of this network was a family—husband, wife, and their minor son—operating from a residence in San Juan, Alicante.
This home was the network’s “operations centre,” where social media accounts were managed for recruitment and assassination directives. In early November, Policía Nacional’s GOES units raided the residence, arresting the family and dismantling the organisation’s command structure.
Links to a broader criminal network
Further investigation revealed connections between this network and criminal organisations operating in Sweden and Eastern Europe, highlighting the transnational scope of their activities.
EU-funded international collaboration
This operation represents a successful application of European security strategy, focusing on:
- Establishing future-ready security systems.
- Combating emerging threats.
- Protecting citizens from terrorism and organised crime.
- Building a robust European security ecosystem.
Through funding from the EU’s Internal Security Fund, coordinated efforts between EU member states aim to dismantle criminal networks and disrupt their operations. These collaborative measures are critical in addressing the significant threats of organised crime to the EU and its citizens.
A call to remain vigilant
The operation stands as a stark reminder of the evolving tactics employed by criminal organisations. It highlights the critical need for vigilance and international collaboration in combating such threats and protecting vulnerable individuals from exploitation.