Ismail Abdo, one of Sweden’s most wanted gang leaders, has been arrested in Turkey, Swedish prosecutors confirmed Friday. The 35-year-old dual Swedish-Turkish national, known by the nickname “The Strawberry,” is facing multiple drug-related charges issued by Interpol.
Abdo is a prominent figure in Sweden’s criminal underworld as a leader of the Rumba gang. Authorities accuse him of orchestrating illegal activities remotely from abroad. Since last year, Interpol has had a red notice out for his capture.
The arrest occurred during coordinated raids across Turkey where 19 suspects were detained, and law enforcement seized over one tonne of drugs. Turkish state broadcaster TRT reported that additional arrest warrants remain active for 21 suspects, with some still at large or in custody for other offenses.
Turkish authorities also confiscated assets valued at approximately 1.5 billion Turkish lira (about £27.8 million or $38 million), including vehicles, bank accounts, and real estate.
Sweden’s gang violence has intensified amid rivalries such as the turf war between Abdo’s Rumba gang and the Foxtrot gang led by former associate Rawa Majida. The feud escalated violently in 2023 with the murder of Abdo’s mother in Uppsala. The government responded by deploying the military to assist law enforcement.
In 2024, Abdo was previously arrested during a traffic stop in Turkey but was released on bail despite the outstanding Interpol notice, drawing sharp criticism from Swedish officials pursuing his extradition.
The arrest marks a significant development in Sweden’s efforts to combat the surge in gang-related crime, which has involved thousands of individuals and spread beyond major cities to suburban and rural areas. However, Abdo’s Turkish citizenship could complicate the extradition process.
Separately, Sweden’s security agency, Sapo, has raised concerns about foreign influence in domestic gang activity, including allegations of Iran recruiting gang members to target Israeli and Jewish interests in the country.
The capture of Ismail Abdo is seen as a major victory for Sweden’s current government, which pledged to address gang violence after coming to power in 2022.
