The UAE has arrested a Swedish national wanted by Interpol on suspicion of leading an international money laundering network, in a joint operation with Swedish authorities.

The suspect had been wanted under an Interpol Red Notice after fleeing Sweden and was arrested after being tracked down by UAE security forces.

At the same time, six other suspected members of the network were arrested in Sweden, and legal proceedings have been initiated against all those involved.

Investigations found that the network moved about 70 million Swedish kronor, equivalent to approximately $7.1 million, over a 10-month period.

According to authorities, the group processed cash generated through criminal activities before transferring the funds to other criminal groups or individuals.

Authorities also found that the network used cryptocurrencies to transfer and conceal the value of the funds.

Tracing cryptocurrency transactions and analysing digital evidence helped uncover financial links to wider criminal activities, including organised crime and contract killings.

The operation followed direct security coordination between the UAE Ministry of Interior and Swedish police, with the two countries also sharing evidence related to the case.

Brigadier Abdulaziz Al Ahmad, Director-General of Federal Criminal Police at the UAE Ministry of Interior, said the operation demonstrated the effectiveness of bilateral security cooperation.

“The UAE once again reaffirms its firm commitment to pursuing individuals wanted by judicial authorities and combating transnational organised crime,” he said.

Anders Wiberg, Police Commissioner and Head of the International Department at the Swedish Police Authority, also praised the cooperation, saying collaboration with the UAE was “one of the key factors in achieving a successful outcome in this case”.

He also thanked the UAE authorities for their “valuable cooperation and support” in bringing the investigation to a successful conclusion.