The Spanish National Police and the Swedish Police Authority executed a major joint operation on November 28–29, 2025, involving approximately 150 police officers. Six locations in Stockholm and two in Murcia were raided, resulting in the arrest of five key suspects — three in Sweden and two in Spain.
During the raids, officers confiscated cash, luxury watches, and valuables worth several hundred thousand euros. Evidence found in one Swedish residence revealed it had been operating as an illegal gambling club, generating an estimated €20 million annually.
Authorities also seized drugs intended for resale, which the group planned to use to strengthen its influence across local and regional Nordic markets. Investigators uncovered additional signs of human trafficking and money-laundering operations, used both by the network itself and by other criminal groups.
According to Europol, the suspects formed the core of a violent criminal network known for using intimidation, coercion, and force to enforce debts, secure illegal revenue streams, and control parts of the underground gambling market in Stockholm. The group also acted as a key service provider for other criminals.
Europol coordinated the cross-border operation and ensured all evidence was made available to both Swedish and Spanish authorities. Earlier this week, Europol, together with German and Swiss investigators, dismantled a cryptocurrency mixing service used for laundering illicit profits — seizing 12TB of data and over €25 million in crypto assets.
The takedown of this Nordic criminal network highlights how illegal gambling, narcotics trafficking, and money laundering operate as interconnected criminal ecosystems. Europol’s international coordination continues to weaken such groups, reducing their regional influence and increasing public safety across Europe.
