In a significant breakthrough in the fight against organized crime, Ismail Abdo, a prominent figure of the Rumba crime gang and one of Sweden's most wanted criminals, has been arrested in Turkey. His capture was confirmed by the Swedish prosecutor’s office on Friday. Abdo, known by the moniker "The Strawberry," has a long history of drug-related offenses that led to an Interpol red notice issued against him the previous year.
The dual Swedish-Turkish citizen, aged 35, is suspected of directing illegal activities from abroad. While Swedish authorities refrained from disclosing his identity, they stated that he is accused of serious drug trafficking and inciting violent crimes over several years within Sweden. His arrest was part of a larger operation in Turkey, which saw police detain 19 individuals and confiscate over a tonne of illicit drugs. Officials have also reported issuing warrants for an additional 21 suspects linked to these criminal activities.
Authorities in Turkey seized assets valued at approximately 1.5 billion Turkish lira (around £27.8 million or $38 million), which included vehicles, bank accounts, and 51 properties. The surge in gang violence in Sweden, attributed in part to a deadly rivalry involving Abdo and his former associate Rawa Majida, the leader of the competing Foxtrot gang, has raised alarms. Recent years have seen a pronounced increase in homicides tied to these clashes, including the tragic murder of Abdo's mother in 2023.
Last year, the rise in organized crime prompted the Swedish government to deploy the military to aid law enforcement in tackling escalating gang-related violence, which has infiltrated not only major cities but also quieter regions. The Swedish security service, Sapo, has also reported concerns about foreign actors, including alleged recruitment efforts by Iran targeting Swedish gangs for actions against Israeli or Jewish entities.
The current Swedish government, elected in 2022 on a platform to eradicate gang-related crime, is likely to see Abdo's arrest as a considerable achievement. Nonetheless, his dual citizenship could present hurdles in the extradition process back to Sweden. Reports indicate that around 14,000 individuals in Sweden are deeply involved in criminal organizations, with a further 48,000 suspected of being connected to these gangs.
