One of Sweden's most notorious gang leaders, Ismail Abdo, has been apprehended in Turkey, as confirmed by Swedish prosecutors on Friday. The dual citizen of Sweden and Turkey faces numerous drug-related charges, with a particular focus on his leadership role in the Rumba crime gang. Abdo, aged 35 and known by the nickname "The Strawberry," has drawn significant attention after being the subject of an Interpol red notice since the previous year for orchestrating criminal operations from abroad.
Although Swedish authorities did not disclose his identity during the announcement, they did reveal the arrest of an individual suspected of engaging in grave drug trafficking and the incitement of violent crimes over an extended period in Sweden. His capture was part of a larger operation that led to the arrest of 19 suspects in Turkey. The operation reportedly involved the seizure of more than a tonne of illicit drugs, although specific locations of the raids remain undisclosed.
In addition to the arrests, Turkish authorities have confiscated assets worth around 1.5 billion Turkish lira (approximately £27.8 million or $38 million), which includes 20 vehicles, bank accounts, and 51 properties. The violent gang rivalry in Sweden has escalated in recent years, especially concerning Abdo’s conflicts with Rawa Majida, the head of a rival gang known as Foxtrot. This ongoing turf war has resulted in multiple killings and unprecedented violence, demonstrated further by the recent murder of Abdo's mother in Uppsala.
The Swedish government, seeking to combat the current wave of gang-related violence, has even deployed military assistance to enforce order. Despite Abdo's brief arrest in 2024 during a traffic stop in Turkey, he was released on bail, evoking criticism from Swedish officials who were eager for extradition based on the active Interpol notice.
Sweden's reputation for safety has been challenged by a rapid increase in gang violence that now extends to quieter suburbs and towns, with an estimated 14,000 individuals involved in criminal gangs according to police estimates. Recent incidents have drawn international concern, especially after accusations that Iranian entities are recruiting Swedish gang members for targeted attacks against Israeli interests. The capture of Abdo is seen as a positive sign for Sweden’s centre-right government, but his Turkish citizenship may complicate the extradition process, leaving many in fear of what the future holds for public safety in the nation.
