Sydney teen ‘hired hitmen’ for Nordic gangsters

Authorities in Australia have apprehended a 15-year-old foreign national who allegedly hired hitmen in Denmark and Sweden on behalf of a transnational criminal organization embroiled in gang conflicts. The Australian Federal Police arrested the teenager in western Sydney following a tip-off from Danish Police as part of Operation Dedric. The boy is suspected of orchestrating crime-as-a-service contract killings in the Scandinavian countries, a practice involving the outsourcing of criminal activities to third parties through online platforms and social media.

During a search warrant, the AFP seized electronic devices from the teenager for forensic examination. Danish Police Deputy Chief Superintendent Lars Feldt-Rasmussen revealed that the teen attempted to recruit individuals for contract killings in Denmark and Sweden to fuel gang disputes in the Nordic region. The boy faces charges in both Australia and Denmark for using a device connected to a telecommunications network for conspiracy to commit murder, a crime punishable by life imprisonment.

The teenager made an appearance before the Surry Hills Children’s Court and was denied bail. He is scheduled to appear in court again on June 11. AFP Commander Brett James emphasized the importance of international cooperation in apprehending criminals, warning wrongdoers that geographical boundaries will not protect them from law enforcement. “The AFP and its partners are vigilant, exchanging intelligence, and prepared to apprehend those seeking to harm our communities,” he stated.