Sweden

People

Sweden is predominantly a destination country for human trafficking, with victims subjected to sexual and labour exploitation. Most victims come from West Africa, Eastern Europe and Asia, often misled by fraudulent recruitment schemes. Labour trafficking targets workers in sectors such as forestry, construction and automotive repair, where poor working conditions enable widespread abuse. Despite a strong state response, including victim identification efforts and legal enforcement, trafficking networks persist, exploiting gaps in asylum systems and demand for cheap labour. Human smuggling remains a notable and transnational market, with Sweden acting as both a destination and transit point for irregular migration. People from Afghanistan, Egypt, Morocco, West Africa and Eastern Europe make up a substantial share of the smuggled population. Sweden’s welfare system and legal protections make it an attractive destination, even as strict immigration controls limit legal entry. Smugglers use fraudulent documents, stolen identities and fake asylum claims to evade detection, and many migrants endure harsh conditions and exploitation in transit.

Extortion and protection racketeering have grown significantly in Sweden, making it one of the most affected countries in Northern Europe. Urban criminal networks target local businesses, migrant communities and rival groups through coercive schemes. Data from EncroChat – a Europe-based encrypted communication network widely used by criminals before being infiltrated and dismantled – has revealed evidence of extortion-related violence, including homicides and arson attacks. Some reports suggest that foreign criminal actors have used such tactics for political leverage, targeting both businesses and individuals. Protection racketeering typically involves gangs demanding payments under threat of property damage or physical harm.

Trade

Sweden is a key hub for arms trafficking in Northern Europe, with illicit firearms fuelling organized crime and gang violence. This illicit market includes automatic and semi-automatic weapons, grenades and explosives, many of which originate from the Balkans and Eastern Europe. Criminal groups exploit weaknesses in border controls to facilitate a steady inflow of firearms. Improvised explosive devices have also become a growing concern, frequently used in gang-related attacks. Despite strict gun laws, weapons are acquired through theft from legal stockpiles or via illicit online platforms.

The counterfeit goods market primarily involves fashion items, electronics and luxury goods, sourced from East Asia and Europe. Criminal networks operate through e-commerce platforms and social media, complicating enforcement. The trade is closely linked to fraud and money laundering, with profits often reinvested into other criminal ventures.

High excise taxes have contributed to a thriving market for illicit alcohol and tobacco. Smuggling routes from Eastern Europe and the Baltic states supply untaxed goods, undermining Sweden’s regulated market. Both organized criminal groups and small-scale smugglers exploit border control loopholes. Experts note that although Swedish customs reported a sharp increase in cigarette interceptions in 2023 compared to the previous year, the overall illegal cigarette market is still perceived to be in decline.

Environment

Flora crimes in Sweden are primarily linked to illegal logging and the unregistered timber trade. While some large corporations have been implicated in supply chain violations, organized crime involvement remains limited.

By contrast, fauna crime has seen an expansion in recent years, driven by illegal poaching and trophy hunting. Wolves, bears and lynx are frequent targets, with poaching operations largely overlooked by authorities. Environmental agencies have been criticized for pro-hunting policies, which have weakened the state’s ability to curb wildlife crime. Illegal fishing and overfishing also pose increasing threats to marine biodiversity.

Non-renewable resource crimes are rarely reported in Sweden, but the discovery of rare earth elements, as well as graphite and iron deposits, has sparked concerns about illegal mining and resource exploitation. Although there is no evidence of organized crime involvement in these activities, advocacy groups have protested resource extraction projects, citing environmental damage and violations of indigenous rights.

Drugs

Sweden remains a destination market for heroin, with supply chains linked to Afghanistan via the Balkans. The market is relatively small, with consumption concentrated among long-term opioid users.

The cocaine market, on the other hand, is expanding, driven by organized crime groups and transnational cartels. Trafficked from South America via European transit hubs, cocaine is primarily distributed through nightlife venues and private networks. The trade begins at ports south of Sweden and extends across the country, with Stockholm serving as the key hub. Profits are accrued by both local gangs and foreign actors, most notably Latin American cartels and ethnic Albanian criminal networks. Over the last decade, Sweden has seen a sharp rise in gang violence, with killings and bombings becoming more frequent, and a growing number of young people involved as both victims and perpetrators. The surge in gang activity is closely linked to Sweden's to the cocaine trade, fuelling inter-gang rivalries.

The illegal cannabis market is commonplace, with Sweden acting as both a source and destination. Supply comes from domestic cultivation as well as imports, including hashish from Morocco and West Africa via Spain’s Canary Islands. Groups involved in cannabis trafficking are often also active in the cocaine, heroin and synthetic drug trades.

Synthetic drugs, including methamphetamine, amphetamines and 3-CMC, are widely available. While large quantities are produced in the eastern Balkans and marketed across Europe, a significant share is also manufactured in Swedish laboratories. Distribution relies on darknet markets and encrypted online platforms, complicating enforcement efforts. Furthermore, authorities have reported an increase in overdoses involving synthetic opioids, highlighting the growing availability of these substances and the serious public health concerns associated with them.

Cyber-dependent crimes

Sweden has experienced a sharp rise in cybercrime, including ransomware attacks and data breaches. These offences are often transnational, with the country targeted by foreign hacker groups. Recent reports highlight the involvement of Russian actors in several cyber-attacks. Since joining NATO in March 2024, Sweden has also faced numerous influence operations and cyber disruptions.

Financial Crimes

Financial crime continues to increase in Sweden, with fraud the most common offence. Criminal networks have exploited welfare systems, particularly by establishing private clinics to embezzle public health funds. Reports from 2024 identify fraud as the fastest-growing crime type, marked by a surge in social engineering scams and card fraud. Identity theft has also become widespread, affecting a significant portion of the population in recent years.

Criminal Actors

Mafia-style actors in Sweden are largely limited to outlaw motorcycle gangs, which play a prominent role in drug trafficking and other illicit markets. Unlike loosely structured street gangs, these groups operate at a more sophisticated level, engaging in arms trafficking, the drug trade and more recently, financial crime, including welfare fraud. Reports show that members of these groups established private healthcare clinics as fronts to divert public funds. Illicit profits from these operations are estimated to be twice the value of the drug trade. Biker gangs maintain global affiliations, with ties to counterparts in Denmark and the US, while preserving an independent internal structure. Members display distinctive tattoos and clothing and operate under a strict hierarchy. While there is limited evidence of direct corruption within public institutions, these groups have infiltrated financial systems anonymously by setting up front companies to commit fraud.

Swedish criminal networks are primarily composed of loosely organized street gangs, involved in drug trafficking, arms smuggling, human smuggling and extortion. These groups lack fixed hierarchies, often forming fluid alliances and engaging in internal conflict. They thrive in socially marginalized areas marked by unemployment, poverty and widespread school dropouts, conditions that drive youth recruitment into gangs. Gangs reportedly recruit over a thousand people annually, targeting minors and vulnerable youth. In November 2024, authorities reported a rise in gang violence, driven in part by the use of social media to recruit children as young as 11 for contract killings and drug distribution. This trend has fuelled an increase in gang-related homicides and violent crime. The proliferation of firearms and drive-by shootings has made Sweden one of the most gun-violent countries in Europe.

By contrast, state-embedded actors play a limited role in Sweden’s organized crime landscape. While isolated cases of bribery and corruption involving public officials have been reported, there is no evidence of systemic corruption at the institutional level.

Foreign actors are a significant presence in Sweden’s organized crime landscape, particularly in drug trafficking and firearms smuggling. There is considerable overlap between foreign criminal groups and local gangs, often based on first- or second-generation migrant backgrounds. Most foreign groups originate from the Western Asia or the Balkans, adding a transnational dimension to Sweden’s criminal networks. Ethnic Albanian organizations also play a central role in controlling smuggling routes through Swedish ports, facilitating drug trafficking from Latin America into Europe. These networks are concentrated in urban centres such as Stockholm, Malmö and Gothenburg, but also operate in smaller cities such as Sundsvall, Uppsala and Helsingborg.

Private-sector involvement in organized crime remains limited, though concerns persist regarding biker gangs using private companies to commit welfare fraud and exploit Sweden’s tax system. Reports suggest some career criminals manage multiple businesses, using them as financial vehicles for illicit activities. While there is no direct evidence that these enterprises are used to launder drug profits, they appear to operate as independent financial crime ventures.

Leadership and governance

Sweden maintains a strong governance framework, consistently demonstrating respect for the rule of law and other fundamental principles, reflecting the country's commitment to political rights and civil liberties. However, rising gang-related violence has prompted discussions about expanding the role of security forces. The growing presence of organized criminal groups in urban areas has drawn attention ongoing challenges in law enforcement. Measures to track and counter criminal activity have included cooperation with the EU on facial recognition initiatives. Despite these efforts, persistent gang-related activity has raised concerns about the formation of parallel societies in some urban areas. Reports also indicate that biker gangs are engaged in activities affecting state resources, including fraud involving fictitious private healthcare companies. In July 2024, the government introduced stricter penalties for gun crimes and established security zones to address rising violence. Broader discussions around a more comprehensive approach have since emerged in response to ongoing security challenges.

Sweden remains one of the least corrupt countries globally. It upholds transparency in public expenditure, audits and private-sector contracting, with constitutional protections ensuring access to official documents. Despite this, experts have identified areas where public access to information could be improved, particularly in conflict-of-interest disclosures and oversight mechanisms.

The country is also highly engaged in international cooperation to combat organized crime, participating actively in Europol and INTERPOL, and maintaining established extradition agreements and intelligence-sharing mechanisms. Sweden has ratified key international treaties, including the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, the Arms Trade Treaty and the CITES convention on wildlife trafficking. In November 2024, it moved to join the Macolin Convention, aimed at combating match-fixing and corruption in sport. This aligns with broader efforts to strengthen anti-corruption measures, particularly in the financial crimes sector.

Sweden has a comprehensive legal framework addressing drug trafficking, arms smuggling, human trafficking and terrorism. However, certain legal provisions present challenges, including relatively lenient sentences for organized crime offences. These factors have contributed to Sweden's appeal for some criminal groups. In February 2024, the country introduced its first national strategy explicitly targeting organized crime, alongside efforts to strengthen its cybersecurity framework. Investments in new cybersecurity agencies aim to counter rising cyber threats. Financial crime also remains a priority, particularly fraud within the healthcare system, where persistent vulnerabilities continue to be exploited.

Criminal justice and security

Sweden’s judicial system remains robust, but concerns have emerged regarding judicial independence and prison capacity. Reports highlight overcrowding, particularly among youth offenders involved in organized crime. Rehabilitation opportunities remain limited, though plans to expand prison infrastructure have been announced.

In response to escalating gang violence, the government has intensified law enforcement efforts in recent years, including the deployment of military personnel to support police operations. The Swedish police authority leads national law enforcement, with specialized units for financial crime and cybercrime. However, staffing shortages persist, and instances of officers leaking information to criminal networks have been documented. A 2024 investigation identified security risks involving at least 30 officers, resulting in dismissals.

Sweden's geographic position and open Schengen borders make it a key transit point for organized criminal groups trafficking illicit goods across Scandinavia and into Europe. Its proximity to major ports, including Rotterdam, heightens its exposure to drug trafficking risks. In response to rising insecurity from gang violence and terrorism concerns, Sweden has reintroduced border controls and tightened security at key entry points. The country is also strengthening its defence and emergency preparedness, emphasizing regional cooperation through NATO. In the cyber domain, Sweden has a solid legal and institutional framework, though challenges remain in fully protecting its digital infrastructure despite significant investment.

Economic and financial environment

Sweden maintains a highly developed anti-money laundering framework, with strict financial reporting requirements and stepped-up enforcement measures introduced in 2024. However, recent violations identified by regulatory authorities have exposed weaknesses in risk assessments and monitoring of money laundering threats. While the country has strong market oversight, concerns about criminal infiltration of the private sector have grown, particularly in the healthcare industry.

Civil society and social protection

Sweden’s victim and witness support framework operates through the Swedish crime victim authority, in coordination with courts and NGOs. However, witness intimidation by organized crime groups remains a challenge, with victims often hesitant to testify due to fear of retaliation. To address this issue, in October 2024, the Swedish government proposed new measures allowing anonymous testimonies in gang-related trials. Child recruitment by gangs continues to be an issue, with limited intervention mechanisms in vulnerable communities. Support for human trafficking victims has been strengthened, including funding for NGO-led shelter programmes. However, legal identification of trafficking victims remains restricted to law enforcement agencies, making asylum-seekers reluctant to report crimes due to deportation fears. Sweden enforces strict drug laws, which have contributed to high drug-related mortality rates. Harm reduction efforts remain limited, and hospitalization rates for heroin and cocaine cases remain high, reflecting ongoing demand for medical intervention.

Sweden’s crime prevention strategies are built on multi-agency cooperation involving municipalities, schools and police, with tailored approaches depending on the crime type. Efforts to combat sex and labour trafficking include 24-hour hotlines, dedicated funding and partnerships with labour unions and international civil society. A national task force brings together law enforcement, civil society and government agencies to enhance prevention. Technologies such as facial recognition and drones are employed to address gang violence, yet preventative measures against gang recruitment remain limited. Frustration with centralized, top-down strategies has led local communities – especially in suburban areas – to take a more active role through awareness campaigns and youth engagement initiatives. Nonetheless, challenges persist, particularly due to the concentration of welfare and policing services.

The country upholds strong political and civil liberties, maintaining a free press and multi-party democracy. However, anti-immigrant sentiment and far-right extremism have increased in recent years, contributing to a rise in hate crimes. Despite its global reputation for media freedom, journalists covering gang violence and migration issues face threats and intimidation. Media ownership is highly concentrated, with five companies controlling most national news outlets, raising concerns about press diversity. Civil society remains active in crime prevention, with NGOs playing a key role in victim assistance programmes. The 2024 National Strategy against Organized Crime includes provisions to enhance civil society involvement, reinforcing multi-stakeholder engagement in Sweden’s crime prevention initiatives.