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US Treasury Sanctions Swedish Gang Leader Involved with Iranian Regime’s Destabilizing Activities

iran sweden foxtrot network sanctions drug

In a significant move by the U.S. government, the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has sanctioned the Foxtrot Network, a notorious transnational criminal organization (TCO) based in Sweden, and its fugitive leader Rawa Majid. The Foxtrot Network has been involved in a wide range of illicit activities, from drug trafficking to violence aimed at Jewish and Israeli targets across Europe. The sanctions are part of the U.S. government’s ongoing efforts to combat the destabilizing actions of the Iranian regime, which has increasingly relied on criminal networks to advance its interests.

Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, “Iran’s brazen use of transnational criminal organizations and narcotics traffickers underscores the regime’s attempts to achieve its aims through any means, with no regard for the cost to communities across Europe.” The actions taken today align with broader efforts to disrupt Iran’s criminal and destabilizing operations, especially those involving transnational criminal groups that serve as proxies for the regime’s goals.

This article will examine the key aspects of the sanctions imposed on the Foxtrot Network and its leader, Rawa Majid, the criminal activities of the group, and the implications of these sanctions in the broader geopolitical context.

For years, the Iranian government has been known to employ criminal networks and other proxies as a means to further its objectives while maintaining plausible deniability. By leveraging transnational criminal organizations like the Foxtrot Network, Iran can advance its agenda without directly implicating itself in illegal activities. This tactic allows Iran to carry out operations that support its foreign policy goals—especially those targeting Israel—while deflecting direct blame for terrorist acts or other destabilizing actions.

The U.S. sanctions against the Foxtrot Network and Rawa Majid are part of a broader strategy to hold Iran accountable for its use of criminal networks in such operations. The Iranian regime has targeted U.S. nationals and planned attacks against Israeli and Jewish targets across Europe. Additionally, Iranian officials have sought to assassinate Iranian dissidents through criminal networks, such as the activities of narcotics trafficker Naji Ibrahim Sharifi-Zindashti, who was sanctioned by OFAC in January 2024.

Iran’s increasing reliance on such networks underscores the regime’s willingness to engage in underhanded methods to achieve its foreign policy goals, including the destruction of Israel. As part of this ongoing strategy, the Iranian regime continues to use criminal organizations to carry out high-profile attacks, such as the attack on the Israeli Embassy in Stockholm in 2024, which was orchestrated by the Foxtrot Network.

Transnational Criminal Activities of the Foxtrot Network

The Foxtrot Network is a major player in the criminal underworld in Sweden and other parts of Europe. Known for its ruthless tactics and involvement in a wide array of criminal enterprises, the Foxtrot Network has built a reputation for extreme violence and criminal activities ranging from drug trafficking to contract killings.

One of the primary activities of the Foxtrot Network is its involvement in drug trafficking. The group operates extensively in Sweden, where it controls significant parts of the narcotics trade. Its reach extends beyond Swedish borders into other European nations, contributing to the growing problem of organized crime in the region. The network has also been linked to arms trafficking, further exacerbating its impact on regional security.

In addition to these activities, the Foxtrot Network is notorious for its violent operations. This includes shootings, assaults, and contract killings. The group has also been involved in the use of minors for carrying out violent acts, which highlights its brutal nature and disregard for human life. For instance, the Foxtrot Network was responsible for the killing of a rival gang leader’s mother, a crime that shocked Sweden and underscored the lengths to which the group would go to maintain control.

Rawa Majid, the leader of the Foxtrot Network, has been directly implicated in these activities. He has worked closely with Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence and Security (MOIS), further illustrating the connections between the Foxtrot Network and the Iranian regime. Majid’s activities, which include narcotics and firearms trafficking, have made him a key target of U.S. sanctions. The FOIA documents show that Majid’s criminal activities extend beyond Sweden and have implications for Europe as a whole.

The Connection Between Iran and the Foxtrot Network

The connection between Iran and the Foxtrot Network is crucial in understanding the full scope of the sanctions. The Foxtrot Network’s violent actions, including the attack on the Israeli Embassy in Stockholm in 2024, were carried out on behalf of the Iranian government. The operation was a direct manifestation of Iran’s ongoing efforts to destabilize Europe and further its political objectives in the region.

Rawa Majid’s cooperation with the Iranian Ministry of Intelligence and Security (MOIS) highlights the central role that the Iranian regime plays in supporting such criminal networks. The use of criminal organizations as proxies allows Iran to carry out terrorist attacks and other destabilizing actions while keeping its hands relatively clean from direct involvement. Majid’s connection to MOIS and his continued evasion of Swedish authorities further underscores the complexity of the network’s operations.

The sanctions imposed by OFAC are designed to disrupt this relationship by targeting the Foxtrot Network and Majid’s operations. By freezing the assets of these individuals and entities, the U.S. government aims to limit their ability to carry out criminal activities and provide support to the Iranian regime.

Sanctions and Their Implications for the Foxtrot Network and Majid

The sanctions imposed on the Foxtrot Network and Rawa Majid have significant implications for their operations. Under the U.S. sanctions regime, any property or interests in property of the designated individuals or organizations that are within the United States or in the possession of U.S. persons are now blocked. Additionally, any entities that are owned or controlled by blocked persons are also subject to sanctions. This effectively isolates the Foxtrot Network from conducting business or operating in the U.S. financial system.

For U.S. persons, these sanctions impose severe penalties for violations. Civil or criminal penalties may be applied for engaging in transactions with the sanctioned individuals or entities. Non-U.S. persons are also prohibited from knowingly facilitating or conspiring to cause violations of U.S. sanctions. This broad reach ensures that the Foxtrot Network and Majid will face significant challenges in continuing their operations globally.

OFAC’s sanctions serve a dual purpose: they are intended to punish those responsible for destabilizing activities, but they also aim to bring about positive behavioral changes. By targeting criminal organizations like the Foxtrot Network, the U.S. government seeks to disrupt their activities and ultimately limit the power of the Iranian regime’s proxies.

Conclusion

The U.S. Treasury’s sanctions on the Foxtrot Network and its leader, Rawa Majid, represent a critical step in the fight against transnational crime and the destabilizing actions of the Iranian regime. By cutting off the network’s financial and operational capabilities, these sanctions are designed to prevent further violence, drug trafficking, and terrorist activities that have far-reaching consequences for Europe and beyond. As Iran continues to leverage criminal organizations for its geopolitical goals, it is clear that international cooperation and stringent sanctions will be essential in disrupting these networks and promoting global stability.