Top Swedish crime ringleader Ismail Abdo arrested in Adana

ADANA, Turkey — Ismail Abdo, born in 1990 to a Turkish mother and Lebanese father, was arrested in a joint police operation involving Sweden, Norway, and Turkey. Abdo, who grew up in Uppsala, Sweden, is notorious for his involvement in violent criminal activities. After breaking away from the Foxtrot network led by Rawa Majid in 2024, Abdo formed his own criminal group called Rumba, sparking ongoing violent clashes between the two gangs over control of the drug trade. 

Both networks reportedly include members of the Syriac (Aramean-Assyrian–Chaldean) community in Sweden, many of whom carry out illicit activities on behalf of Majid and Abdo. The Swedish police and Interpol have been tracking both men for years. The recent raid in Adana resulted in the arrest of Abdo and 18 others — including two Swedish nationals — and the seizure of cash, 20 vehicles, 15 properties, and shares in various companies, with an estimated total value of 1.5 billion Turkish lira (approximately 360 million Swedish kronor). 

However, Turkish authorities have refused to extradite Abdo to Sweden, citing his Turkish citizenship. They confirmed that any potential extradition will only occur after his prosecution in Turkey. 

It’s worth noting that this is not Abdo’s first run-in with Turkish authorities. He was previously arrested in 2024 for possession of 1.3 tons of narcotics but was released after paying a fine of just 6,000 SEK (Swedish kronor) to Turkish officials.