Norwegian police identify around sixty criminal networks in eastern border region
The Øst police district’s new threat assessment describes international smuggling routes and networks connected to Sweden and Morocco, among other places.
Police in eastern Norway have identified roughly sixty criminal networks operating in the district or with members living there. The finding appears in the 2026-2027 threat assessment published on 29 October. The mapping covers international and national organisations, professional facilitators and local youth groups. Several networks have connections to Oslo, Sweden and Morocco.
The district includes major land, sea and air entry routes, including Gardermoen airport and the Svinesund and Ørje crossings. Police say these are also used to smuggle drugs, firearms and cash, and for human trafficking and migrant smuggling. The assessment also highlights violence commissioned by others and the involvement of vulnerable young people. Police official Joakim Dyrdal stresses that the network count is approximate because groups continually change their membership and partnerships.
