Three relatives of former Europol Sweden chief Linda Staaf have been arrested in connection with an international police operation targeting large-scale online drug sales and money laundering, according to reports. The operation, codenamed "Candy," was led by Europol with participation from several European countries including Sweden. Two of Staaf's relatives were reportedly arrested on Wednesday on suspicion of serious money laundering offenses, bringing the total to three close relatives implicated in the investigation.
One relative is suspected of serious money laundering, serious accounting fraud, and particularly serious drug offenses. The international operation involved synchronized raids in Spain, Thailand, and Sweden approximately two weeks ago, resulting in the arrest of 13 people. Linda Staaf reportedly left her position as Sweden chief at Europol in spring 2025 after it emerged that one of the suspects in Operation Candy was related to her.
She currently serves as police master at the Swedish Police Authority's National Operational Department. Prosecutor Tove Kullberg has reportedly requested detention for one of the female relatives, citing concerns about evidence tampering. The investigation was first reported by Dagens industri reporter Lasse Wierup.