Gangs fight for the market in the north – the price of drugs is dumped in Umeå

10/19/2023, 3:06:51 PM

Highlights: Criminal networks are fighting over the drug market in Umeå right now. This means that the amount of drugs for sale increases – while at the same time lowering prices. The police are also investigating whether the drug networks can be linked to the murder of Mariehem. "Contrary to the rest of society, we see lower prices for most drugs," says Olle Andersson, head of investigations at the police in the north of Sweden. "There are more drugs than before and the prices are lower," says Andersson.

Criminal networks are fighting over the drug market in Umeå right now. This means that the amount of drugs for sale increases – while at the same time lowering prices. The police are also investigating whether the drug networks can be linked to the murder of Mariehem. "Contrary to the rest of society, we see lower prices for most drugs," says Olle Andersson, head of investigations at the police.

It is partly through analysis of telephones used in the sale of drugs and handwritten debt lists that the police have been able to follow the price trend. At the same time, the various players and networks are trying to take over as much of the sales as possible.

"There are more drugs than before and the prices are lower. In Umeå, people are fighting to get their own narcotics, says Andersson.

Tomas Palmgren, head of investigation at the police in Umeå, links several of the violent and drug crimes in Umeå to the fight for the market, including the shooting Öst på stan last spring.

Foxtrot and Dalen build relationships in Umeå

The police also see that the national networks are involved.

"Many actors in Umeå have established relationships, such as the Foxtrot and Dalen networks. We are looking for links when it comes to the murder of Mariehem, but it is still too early to say anything about it, says Tomas Palmgren.

"The market in Umeå is fairly constant, so people are fighting for the existing market. We see this, for example, in the fact that the quantity of drugs has increased, but also in the fact that the prices of all types of drugs have been squeezed.