A 25-year-old linked to the Dalen network faces charges for recruiting a 13-year-old and a 15-year-old in Umeå to sell narcotics and commit thefts. Police discovered evidence in an apartment, including stolen tools and drugs. Experts warn of the ruthless recruitment of youth into gang crime.
In autumn 2024, a man in his mid-20s instructed two teenagers in Umeå to sell and transport narcotics as well as steal specific tools from a list. The man, connected to the Dalen network and previously known to police, is now charged with involving minors in criminal activity.
Police arrested the 25-year-old following a search of an apartment where they found stolen tools, drugs, and a mobile phone used to contact the youths and assign tasks. “Much indicates that they planned a more serious crime, a robbery or assault, for which these items would be used,” says Thomas Palmgren, police investigation leader.
The youths were recruited via Snapchat and offered money and goods in exchange for carrying out the criminal assignments. In chats, the children express a desire to quit, but the 25-year-old tries to persuade them to continue. One of the children wrote: “Hey bro, I can't live this life. I care too much about my family and don't want anything to happen to me or them. So, can I just stop with this?”
“These gangs are ruthless in exploiting children and youth to commit serious crimes,” says Thomas Palmgren, head of investigations for police region North. He describes the trend as “extremely worrying,” especially the use of teenagers as young as 13 for crimes that could lead to more severe gang-related offenses. Police conduct preventive outreach on social media and work with guardians to identify at-risk youth.