Three men connected to the criminal Dalen network have been sentenced to lengthy prison terms for controlling the drug market in Västerbotten, Sweden. The men, aged 22, 24, and 26, received sentences of 8 years and 7 years respectively for their roles in what prosecutors described as a business-like drug operation.
According to prosecutor Stina Stener, the trio had leading positions and controlled much of the organized and systematically conducted drug trade in Västerbotten over an extended period. The operation was built up systematically over time with main warehouses, transport systems, and local storage facilities. Under their command, they had site managers, runners, and transporters.
major players
Police investigation chief Thomas Palmgren stated that the individuals were major players who had direct contact with the Dalen network's leadership. The police infiltrated the network using a phone containing previous customer contacts.
The men were convicted of multiple serious crimes including particularly serious drug offenses, serious drug offenses, violations of laws on flammable and explosive goods, serious crimes, and involving minors in criminal activity. They were also convicted of serious obstruction of justice and attempted serious extortion.
paid young people to perform tasks for them and distributed drugs to large customer bases through encrypted applications, without regard to the age or situation of those purchasing and using the narcotics
Prosecutors noted that the men used encrypted chat applications to post job offers related to drug activities and recruited younger individuals to carry out assignments, thereby involving minors in criminality. They distributed drugs to large customer bases without regard to the age or situation of those purchasing and using the narcotics.