Illegal drug markets in Sweden

English summary of report 2021:10

A study of smuggling, street dealing, internet sales and buyers.

This report is based on a study of illegal drug markets in Sweden that was conducted by the Swedish National Council for Crime Prevention (Brå) on behalf of the Swedish government. Brå’s investigation provides a broad picture of actors and organisational forms involved in drug trafficking – ranging from smuggling to distribution, street dealing, internet sales and buyers in different markets.

Drug offenses

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Narkotikamarknader- publication in Swedish

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Three overall changes in Swedish illegal drug markets

The report shows that the trade in narcotics has changed since Brå’s last studies of the illegal market (Brå 2005:12, Brå 2007:4, Brå 2007:7). Three overall changes have been identified.

Drug smuggling to Sweden

This study shows that the contacts between Swedish criminal networks and actors in other countries have, in recent years, been facilitated by new organisational patterns. Smuggling has been streamlined due to the relocation of Swedish organisers in key transit countries. The drug supply chain has been shortened, and the opportunity to import narcotics is open to a broader range of criminal networks than before. Larger consignments are being imported – mainly with the help of legal companies working in the freight industry.

Increasing ambition among criminal networks to control local street markets in certain suburban areas

Previously, such territorial claims were regarded as unusual. Today, however, they have both a practical and symbolic significance. The competition for “ownership” of certain streets and locations entails a greater level of conflict, and networks in major towns expanding and dispersing their activities to other locations in Sweden.

Accessibility for buyers

New online sales platforms have been established (on Darknet and open internet sites), while social media and encrypted apps have simplified customer recruitment and marketing for street dealers. Certain delivery methods have become more common in recent years, such as home delivery and postal delivery. These delivery methods and sales forms enable people – without prior contacts with dealers – to buy illegal drugs without being detected by the judicial system.

Brå’s assessment

Brå’s commission also includes to “propose how measures taken by the judicial system and the community could be strengthened in order to reduce access to narcotics”. The report presents proposed measures relating to digital communication, smuggling, the criminal controlling of areas, and the long-term provision of knowledge. Below follows a brief description of some of these proposals.

Digital communication
The novel forms of communication technologies are of key importance to all forms of the narcotics trade. Many dealers sell drugs in several arenas simultaneously, and encrypted apps are a common tool. Brå therefore advocates training initiatives for the local police areas concerning how evidence can be sought on different digital platforms.
Smuggling
One precondition for the illegal trade in narcotics is that large volumes can be transported into Sweden across the national border. It is therefore of key importance that there are improvements in the conditions for Swedish Customs to work against this transnational crime by means of strengthened border protection and collaboration with the police.
Criminal-controlled markets
The report shows that a key part of the drug trafficking is based in residential areas that are characterised by economic segregation, social problems and security problems. A significant part of the distribution is concentrated in these areas, although the actual dealing is considerably more widespread. These circumstances indicate that broader initiatives may need to be adopted in order to tackle the drug trade in vulnerable residential areas.