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The authorities’ joint project against organized crime resulted in 145 prison sentences last year. Police describe 2020 as a record year for the project.
Police car on duty in central Stockholm. Stock Photography.
Since 2009, twelve different authorities have collaborated to jointly access different types of organized crime.
It can be anything from drug and firearm crimes to grant fraud.
The joint project focuses, among other things, on “strategic” individuals from organized crime to disrupt their activities.
The project’s annual report was presented to the government on Tuesday. Interior Minister Mikael Damberg (S) is satisfied with the result.
– It’s very positive. When society and the state with various authorities come together and attack criminals from all sides, then it becomes very powerful, says Mikael Damberg.
Within the project, last year 26 national and 138 regional initiatives were carried out. In addition, 105 intelligence cases were carried out.
The number of contributions is approximately the same as the previous year. However, the police note that results in several areas have reached record levels compared to previous years. The project started in 2009.
In 2020, the number of accused was 282, the number of prisoners 145 and the total prison sentence 349 years. According to the police, this is the highest number of prosecuted and convicted under the project since 2009.
– These 349 years in prison have an influence, says Damberg.
– When the gang environment is reduced, we reject them. They get weaker.
Many of the crimes prosecuted are drug-related felonies. The police also point to a large increase in the number of convictions when it comes to money laundering.
According to the report, the project seized about 700 kilos of drugs. That is 400 kilos more than in any previous year. The seizures included 500 kilos of cannabis, 130 kilos of amphetamines and 60 kilos of cocaine.
In 2020, criminal proceeds of SEK 41 million were confiscated following a district court decision. This is the highest amount so far within the framework of the project.
However, Damberg believes that more needs to be done to access the criminal proceeds of criminals.
– We must go further to limit money, so that they do not earn money or participate in grant fraud, he says.
Damberg believes that it is important that municipalities become more involved in fighting crime, for example when it comes to stopping grant fraud or aid fraud.
– There is more to do there, he says.
The project focuses on several different types of crime, including, for example, subsidized crimes. According to the report, the recovery amount for the Swedish Social Security Agency increased. The amount amounted to SEK 90 million in 2020. Since 2015, it has been a maximum of SEK 23 million. More than 70 percent of the result in 2020 came from work in the South region.
Damberg earlier this year expressed hope that the year 2021 will be a sea change in terms of the number of gang shootings.
He sees the joint government report as another sign of that.
– It was a very offensive year for the authorities. They say that 2021 also looks good. They have many national and regional initiatives underway, says Damberg.
