An international police taskforce led by Sweden has resulted in nearly 300 arrests linked to organised crime, authorities said on Wednesday, April 29th.
The operation, dubbed “Grimm” and launched in April 2025, involves Sweden, Europol, and 10 other European countries. It targets the growing phenomenon of “violence as a service,” where individuals—often minors—are recruited online to carry out violent acts.
Swedish police said 280 people were arrested worldwide during the first year of the operation, amid intensified cooperation with technology companies.
The issue has become a major concern in Sweden, where criminal gangs increasingly exploit children. Under Swedish law, those under 15 cannot be prosecuted, making them particularly attractive to organised crime groups.
Public broadcaster SVT reported that more than half of those arrested were linked to Swedish networks, with some detainees as young as 10 to 12 years old.
Authorities say gangs use social media and encrypted messaging apps to recruit young people into loosely organised criminal structures.
