• Sweden edition

Seven arrests as police smash trafficking ring

Published: 7 Dec 09 14:58 CET | Double click on a word to get a translation
Online: http://www.thelocal.se/23700/20091207/

Police in Sweden arrested seven people on Monday morning for their suspected role in a human trafficking network.

Three suspects were arrested in Malmö in southern Sweden and four more suspects were detained in Stockholm County on suspicions of human trafficking and aggravated pimping.

The police said in a statement that the case involves a number of women who were subjected to human trafficking for sexual purposes during 2008 and 2009.

A police spokesperson from Skåne in southern Sweden told the TT news agency that police don’t plan on releasing any more details about the case at this time.

“We’ll say more when we feel that we can do so,” Bo Lundquist of the Skåne police told news agency TT.

The investigation against the suspects, who allegedly recruited their victims from west Africa, has been ongoing since the spring.

The seven arrests took place through cooperative efforts between police in Skåne, Stockholm, and the National Criminal Investigation Department (Rikskriminalpolisen).

Law enforcement authorities and organizations in other countries were also involved in the investigation.

The seven suspects will face a remand hearing at the end of the week.

Police also said they may arrest more people in the case.

TT/The Local (news@thelocal.se/08 656 6518)

What do you think? Leave your comment below.

Fark It! Digg This  Share everywhere
Send to a friend Printable version Twitter This

Your comments about this article:

The comments below have not been moderated in advance and are not produced by The Local unless clearly stated. Readers are responsible for the content of their own comments. Comments that breach our terms and conditions will be removed.

15:50 December 7, 2009 by determined
Pack them in the plane and drop them from the sky in thick african jungle.
16:18 December 7, 2009 by Beynch
One easily implementable solution, where a lot could be gained, would be if Sweden left the Schengen Agreement. Re-introduce passport controls at all ports of entry.
17:21 December 7, 2009 by Nemesis
@ determined

That sounds like a good idea, although I think mid atlantic might also be an option.

@ Beynch

I wonder how that would affect your application for visa to stay in Sweden?
21:52 December 7, 2009 by krigeren
Nice to see the police making some progress in this area.
03:32 December 8, 2009 by Davey-jo
" aggravated pimping" means raping & beating up women and forcing them into prostitution. This is not a joking matter.
07:50 December 8, 2009 by Harding00
I agree with Beynch when he/she said "Re-introduce passport controls at all ports of entry." I am an American living in Sweden and I don't understand how easy it is to go from one European country to the next without going through any sort of passport control. My (Swedish) wife and I went to Italy (from Sweden) for our honeymoon and my passport was never looked at upon arriving in Italy, or when coming back to Sweden. I understand that Europe wants to have free and open borders, but all it takes is one EU country that has lax rules when it comes to entering their country and now people have unlimited access to the rest of Europe. Maybe if they did have passport controls at all ports of entry (and I am not saying get rid of the Visa Waiver Program) then maybe smuggling of humans and goods could be (somewhat) avoided. I also, understand that yes, people will always find ways of smuggling things and people into a country, but the complete and open borders of Europe just make it that much easier.
12:12 December 8, 2009 by bocale1
Harding00, do you mean that you show your passport when driving from Texas to Oklahoma, back in US?

So, what is the problem is not having internal check points between EU states?
14:47 December 8, 2009 by Harding00
Well, last time I checked, the United States was one country (unless I have lived in Sweden too long) whereas Europe consists of many. And yes the US has separate states, and most laws are state laws, but we also have the FBI, department of homeland security, etc. Europe has Europol, but they are not technically a police force, they can merely request help from member countries. Also, the US has an (unofficial) main language, English, Europe has many languages. The EU has much less power over the member countries compared to the federal government of the US over states. So, I clearly think there is a distinction between going through passport control in Europe versus between states within the US. Also, it is the federal government of the US that guards the border, and they have a set standard of security, and who not to allow into the US, etc. In Europe every country is in charge of their own border, so, going back to my main point of my previous post; if a person can legally enter a country that has lax rules regarding entry, they have free reign over Europe, even if another country would not have allowed that person into their country (or into Europe in general).
ADD YOUR COMMENT   (YOU MUST LOG IN OR REGISTER TO MAKE A COMMENT)
Today's headlines
GOTHENBURG SCHOOL STABBING
Man held for stabbing Swedish 10-year-old

Man held for stabbing Swedish 10-year-old

A 28-year-old man suspected of stabbing a young girl in the throat at the beginning of February, has been apprehended and is being held in another country pending Sweden's extradition demand. READ »

Swedish man lay 'dead for weeks' in Lund flat

A man in Lund, southern Sweden, lay dead in his house for weeks before his body was discovered, as visiting care staff had left after the man failed to answer his door. READ (2 COMMENTS) »

Sweden expels foreign official: report

The Swedish government said on Tuesday it has expelled a foreign diplomat, but spokespeople were unwilling to confirm international reports that it was a high level official from Rwanda. READ »

THE LOCAL LIST
Sweden's seven 'sexiest' places explored

Sweden's seven 'sexiest' places explored

On Valentine's Day, The Local invites you on a journey of seduction through Sweden, a country which may be worth probing further when it comes to matters of love. READ (3 COMMENTS) »

Valentine's day in Sweden - readers' sweet tweets and love stories

Valentine's day in Sweden - readers' sweet tweets and love stories

With Valentine's day upon us again, The Local called for messages from the star-crossed lovers of Sweden, who sent us their loving letters and sweet tweets in a celebration of love in Sweden. READ (2 COMMENTS) »

Swedish tourist halted for having 'terrorist name'

Swedish tourist halted for having 'terrorist name'

A Swedish man set to take off on his "dream holiday" to Mexico was turned away before boarding, as flight officials claimed he shared the name of a wanted terrorist. READ (18 COMMENTS) »

Swedish man suspected of 'kidnapping himself'

A 29-year-old man in northern Sweden has been remanded into custody together with an accomplice after trying to extort money from his parents by pretending he had been kidnapped. READ (5 COMMENTS) »

Sweden at ’real risk’ of terror: government

Sweden at ’real risk’ of terror: government

The Swedish Government has penned a new terror strategy, upgrading Sweden’s risk status since the last plan four years ago, calling for an ‘inter-agency cooperation’ in the fight to counter terror in Sweden. READ (11 COMMENTS) »

More National

Highlights from Follow Sweden

20 things to know before moving to Sweden

As diverse as Sweden is, there are a few societal norms that are distinctly Swedish. Understanding a handful of them will hopefully prepare you culturally before you relocate. When you're invited home to a Swede, you better be on time and take your shoes off, writes expat Lola Akinmade-Åkerström. Read more »

How far can English take you in Sweden?

Sweden is a country where almost everyone can speak English. So why bother to learn Swedish? Edina Varnagy from Hungary managed with English for a whole year but then found that Swedish could open doors – to a job, a social life and greater understanding. Read more »


Blog Update: Julie's Nordic Island

12 February 21:30

The consciousness of one »

"The ice dripped in the winter sun. It was the first day when the light had been intense enough to cause dripping in the sunlight. To hear it was an extraordinary wakeup call. The cycle was happening again as it always does, always will (or so we think). I imagined that on my summer island, the bees..." READ »

Highlights
Photo: Rachel Davies/Flickr
DATING »
The Local helps shed some light on the tantalizing mystery known as the strong, silent Nordic type.
The Local
SOCIETY »
The Local's Oliver Gee finds out why the star of Sweden's version of 'The Office' thinks Sweden is the most PC country in the world
Micheal Brauer/Flickr (File)
SCIENCE & TECH »
'Drunkorexia' on the rise in Sweden: report
Alexander Lervik and Johan Carper
LIFESTYLE »
Seven Swedish designs that will blow your mind
Eva Rinadi Celebrity and Live Music Photography/Flickr
SOCIETY »
Star Wars in Swedish causes fan outrage
www.dotoday.se
LIFESTYLE »
What's On: The Local's guide to upcoming attractions and events in Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmö.
OLIKA Publishing
OPINION »
The Swedish language needs a new pronoun free of preconceived notions about gender, a Swedish linguist and representatives from a publishing house argue
Madonna set for July 4th concert in Sweden
SOCIETY »
Madonna set for July 4th concert in Sweden
TV4
GALLERY »
An inside look at 'The Office' in Swedish
Georgios M.W (File)
SOCIETY »
Swedish mother gave 3-year-old cigs and beer
Photo: Fredrik Persson/Scanpix
SOCIETY »
A duvet cover designed to look like cardboard boxes, on sale at a luxury department store in Stockholm, has some arguing that the city's homeless are being exploited for profit.
Ann Catrin Brockman/Flickr (File)
LIFESTYLE »
Five Swedish songs that never made Eurovision
Q&A with Swenglish comedy star Ben Kersley
LIFESTYLE »
Swenglish comedy star Ben Kersley explains how ‘three bespectacled English guys’ plan to make Swedes laugh
Photo: Screenshot YouTube
SOCIETY »
Move over Bugs – a Swedish bunny is rapidly becoming the most popular rabbit in the world!
Photo: Sony Pictures
SPONSORED ARTICLE
How Millennium films tap deep into Swedish angst
Photo: Helena Wahlman
SPONSORED ARTICLE
Braving the cold: Ten reasons to spend winter in Sweden
Photo: ECLA
SPONSORED ARTICLE
A truly international education at the heart of Berlin
Highlights from Follow Sweden
Swedish word of the day

fin

adjective

Fin means anyhting from sweet to proper. When someone says, Du är så fin it's quite a compliment.

Latest news from The Local in Germany

More news from Germany at thelocal.de

Latest news from The Local in Switzerland

More news from Switzerland at thelocal.ch

Latest news from The Local in France

More news from France at thelocal.fr

Latest news from The Local in Norway

More news from Norway at thelocal.no

Blog
Highlights from Follow Sweden
New book about Sweden – get to know the country

Sweden – Up North, Down to Earth is a book about Sweden today. A country of natural beauty and open space, and a society focused on equality, human rights and sustainability. Meet regular and astonishing Swedes, supercars and indie rock bands, vampires and royalties.

Buy your copy of Sweden – Up North, Down to Earth from Sweden Bookshop

Search News


Register

Register now for:
> Free use of noticeboard
> Special discounts
> Weekly news roundup
> Unlimited use of discuss

REGISTER FOR FREE »

Jobs in Sweden, in English

522 jobs available
250 new jobs this week
45 new jobs today

ALL JOBS »

Get on the Tennis Court with www.babolatshop.se
The new Online Tennis Store with the largest selection of Babolat Products in Sweden
http://www.babolatshop.se
Turning Point Counseling
Turning Point Counselling centre offers the international community of Stockholm a safe space for personal development, counselling and coaching.
http://www.turning-point.se/show.asp
Swedish Down Town
Swedish Down Town PR Consulting and Productions is an innovative business company which provides valuable assistance with Public Relations and Communications in the swedish and the international market.
www.swedishdowntown.com
The Local's new Marketplace
Find products and services that are specifically focused on English speakers living in Sweden!
FULL DETAILS
English Speaking Therapist Stockholm
British-Australian Male Counsellor. Counselling Therapy for Depression, Mental Health, Sex, Relationship & Expat Issues
08-559 22 636 or CLICK HERE
Counseling in English
Individuals & Couples - Stockholm Beth Rogerson PhD - Clinical, Marriage & Family Therapist
Click or call 08-5580 1266 now
Doctor of Psychology
Therapy in English in Stockholm Trained in California Individuals & Couples (08) 93 81 48 FREE phone consultation
Visit anxiousorblue.se