In recent years, the extent of the drug trade in Västerbotten has become increasingly known. Umeå has previously been spared from heavier gang crime. But SVT News can reveal two of the gangs that are now represented in Umeå.
The Stockholm-based Valley network, which is said to use 12-year-old children in its operations, is the gang that the police know operates in Umeå.
– We know that people in Umeå have clear links to the Valley network and that their drugs are sold in Umeå, says Thomas Palmgren, head of investigations at the police in Västerbotten.
Recently, a man was sentenced by Umeå District Court to a multi-year prison sentence for serious drug offences and serious weapons offences, and the drugs seized in that case were linked to the Dalen network.
Police worried about violent conflict
Sources with good insight into Umeå's underworld tell SVT that there are rival gangs who want to take over. The network Foxtrot led by the "Kurdish fox" is now trying to establish itself in Umeå. The two networks have had a bloody conflict over the drug market in Sundsvall during the winter.
"We haven't seen the clear picture of conflict here. But we can confirm that both networks' drugs are seized, but it is difficult to say what that means," says Thomas Palmgren.
"It is clear that we are worried that there will be this type of conflict in connection with the extensive drug trafficking.
Investigating whether the shooting is linked to gangs
The police are investigating whether the shooting East of the Town two weeks ago can be linked to the gangs represented in Umeå.
"We collect information on an ongoing basis and try to create a picture of the motive why this particular person was shot," says Thomas Palmgren.