Johan Rydwik Reports Gang Decline as Swedish Youths Target Denmark

Criminal networks are facing a reduction in capacity following the high-profile arrests of leaders including Ismail Abdo and Mikael Tenezos across several countries. Johan Rydwik from the National Operations Department stated that while 280 individuals were apprehended in 2025, gangs have shifted toward recruiting Swedish teenagers for violent crimes. Torben Svarrer of the Danish police confirmed that dozens of Swedish youths have been detained for participating in shootings and bombings in Copenhagen since early 2024.The arrest of figures like Ali Shehab in Iraq and the extradition of leaders from Mexico and Turkey have weakened the ability of gangs to coordinate violence and generate income. Swedish authorities remain prepared for new actors to fill the void as narcotics trafficking continues despite the significant pressure on existing criminal organizations. Torben Svarrer highlighted that vulnerable teenagers are often targeted via encrypted apps with promises of quick payment to execute cross-border attacks.A 16-year-old named Melvin was sentenced to eight years in prison for attempted murder after being recruited to carry out a shooting for a criminal network in Denmark. Parents of involved youths have expressed devastation over the manipulative tactics used by gangs to exploit children with neurodevelopmental disorders or troubled backgrounds. Johan Rydwik emphasized that the conflict map is more extensive than reported and that police are focused on disrupting the financial and recruitment aspects of these networks.