A growing number of Danish and Swedish gangs are using teenagers and even children to carry out violent crimes, marking a new and brutal shift in the criminal underworld.
The Rise of Child “Enforcers” in Organized Crime
For decades, Denmark’s criminal underworld has been driven by drugs, extortion, and violent rivalries. But according to former and current gang insiders, today’s methods have become far more ruthless. It is no longer hardened gang members who carry out shootings or kidnappings, but increasingly minors and children barely in their teens.
A former drug trafficker, referred to by Danish media as “the Veteran,” explained that gangs now order young people—often just 13 to 16 years old—to do their dirty work. Many are recruited from Sweden, lured by small amounts of cash and vague promises. Some are sent across the border to perform targeted killings in Denmark.
By the end of 2023, at least 46 individuals had either carried out or attempted serious crimes on behalf of organized gangs in Denmark, according to a new mapping by DR based on investigative and court documents from both Denmark and Sweden.
These young enforcers, known as “torpedoes,” rarely understand what they are getting into. Some have never even handled firearms. Yet, they are sent to attack or execute people connected to rival networks. In the most alarming trend, innocent relatives and acquaintances have increasingly become victims simply because of who they know.
A Crisis Fueled by Cross-Border Networks
Sweden’s worsening gang problem is spilling into Denmark, and Danish authorities are struggling to contain it. Last year alone, 93 children under 15 were suspected in homicide cases in Sweden. In response, the Swedish government proposed lowering the age of criminal responsibility from 15 to 13.
The spread of violence has been linked to cross-border criminal organizations, including long-standing biker groups such as Bandidos. These networks have a presence in both countries and play key roles in drug trafficking and violent rivalries.
Because the older generation of criminals faces intense police scrutiny, some Danish and Swedish gangs are turning to teenagers who are less likely to draw attention. The young offenders, often from unstable backgrounds, are considered expendable by the masterminds who direct operations from safe distances.
Veterans and Insiders Reject Brutal New Tactics
Even among hardened criminals, the new level of violence is viewed with disgust. The Veteran, who spent years behind bars, called the trend “inhuman.” He said that in his time, retaliation was limited to direct enemies. Now, even family members and friends of rivals are targeted without hesitation.
A longtime gang leader, known as “Alpha,” still active in Denmark’s biker scene, echoed these concerns. He described how the criminal world has “changed completely” over the last decade and blamed the emergence of a new generation of cold-blooded actors motivated by money and fame rather than codes of honor or loyalty.
Both men say many older figures have now walked away from gang life. Those who remain are often the most violent and reckless types—individuals willing to cross any line to maintain control or earn quick profits.
Denmark’s Legal and Social Response
Authorities face growing pressure to curb the wave of youth involvement in organized crime. Police have tightened cooperation with Sweden, while prosecutors push for stronger penalties and preventive measures. At the same time, Danish criminal defense attorneys, including those highlighted among the best criminal defense lawyers in Denmark for foreigners, are often left handling cases involving teenagers manipulated by adult organizers.
Community groups and social workers warn that tougher laws alone may not solve the problem. They call for early intervention programs that target at-risk youth before gangs recruit them with promises of power, money, and belonging.
Meanwhile, gang crackdowns continue across the country, and Danish courts are seeing more cases involving minors connected to notorious networks. Even so, insiders fear that the trend is now too far gone—that the deep integration of young people into organized crime will haunt Scandinavian society for years to come.
Sources and References
The Danish Dream: Bandidos Gang Faces Ban as Trial Begins in Denmark
The Danish Dream: Best Criminal Defence Lawyers in Denmark for Foreigners
DR: Han siger, han har klippet fingre af folk – alligevel er bandernes nye metoder for brutale for ham
