The seizure of two mobile phones in a small Swedish town has led investigators to a sprawling transnational crime network allegedly involved in large-scale drug trafficking and money laundering, with links stretching across Europe, Asia and Australia.
Authorities in Spain, Sweden and Thailand carried out coordinated raids on 4 March as part of the investigation, arresting 13 people and targeting several alleged high-value figures. The international operation, known as Operation Candy, followed earlier enforcement action in Australia and brought the total number of arrests linked to the investigation to 15.
The case began in November 2023 when the Swedish Police Authority seized two phones from a suspected drug trafficker. Forensic analysis of the devices revealed encrypted communications, international contacts and operational details connecting multiple organised crime networks.
Investigators, supported by analysts from Europol, uncovered evidence suggesting the groups were involved in synthetic drug distribution and large-scale money laundering. Authorities allege the networks shared facilitators and used complex webs of corporate entities to conceal ownership structures, logistics and financial flows.
Data extracted from the phones pointed to activities across several countries. In one line of inquiry that led to Thailand, suspects allegedly ran an online drug marketplace supplying customers across the Nordic region. In Sweden, investigators believe members of the network coordinated domestic distribution while operating parallel systems to launder criminal proceeds.
The investigation also exposed links to a shipment intercepted in Germany that was allegedly destined for Australia. In February 2025, German customs officers seized about 1.2 tonnes of illicit drugs concealed in two shipping containers declared as a product commonly used in road construction.
After removing the drugs, German authorities allowed the shipment to continue to Australia as part of a controlled operation. When the containers arrived at the Port of Melbourne in April 2025, officers from the Victorian Joint Organised Crime Taskforce — comprising the Australian Federal Police, Victoria Police and the Australian Border Force — substituted the contents with an inert substance before allowing the consignment to be delivered under surveillance.
The shipment was transported to a warehouse in Victoria’s Central Highlands and later to a factory in Melbourne’s suburb of Sunshine. Two men, aged 32 and 52, were arrested and are currently before the courts accused of involvement in the attempted importation.
Swedish police official Mats Berggren said the case illustrated the borderless nature of organised crime and the importance of international cooperation between law enforcement agencies.
“The operation shows that criminals cannot rely on national or digital borders to shield their activities when investigators share intelligence and act together.”
AFP Commander Christopher Woods said the investigation demonstrated the value of coordinated international action in disrupting organised crime groups targeting Australia.
He said the joint effort had prevented more than a tonne of illicit drugs from entering the country and had led to charges against those allegedly waiting to collect the shipment in Victoria.
Victoria Police Acting Commander Jason Kelly said organised crime groups involved in drug trafficking had far-reaching impacts on communities, linking illicit drug markets to broader criminal activity including violence and road trauma.
Authorities overseas conducted about 20 simultaneous searches during the March raids, seizing assets including cash, jewellery, vehicles and yachts valued at about €4 million, with further assets still being traced.
Officials from Eurojust said prosecutors from multiple countries had coordinated closely throughout the investigation to align legal strategies and support potential prosecutions.
Andy Kraag, head of Europol’s European Serious and Organised Crime Centre, said the investigation highlighted how a seemingly small piece of evidence could reveal the scale of modern organised crime.
“What began with two phones seized from a trafficker ultimately uncovered a global criminal enterprise moving tonnes of drugs across continents and hiding profits behind layers of companies.”
Authorities say investigations and asset-tracing efforts connected to the network remain ongoing.
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