US Treasury Sanctions Foxtrout Criminal Gang for Collaboration with Iran

The US Treasury Department announced that the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has sanctioned the Foxtrout network, a transnational criminal group based in Sweden, and its fugitive leader, Rava Majid. This group has been accused of drug trafficking and conducting attacks against Israelis and Jews in Europe. According to the Treasury Department's statement, this criminal gang organized an attack on the Israeli embassy in Stockholm in January 2024 on behalf of the Iranian government. US officials have stated that Iran uses criminal groups to advance its goals, including terrorist attacks against Israeli and Jewish targets in Europe. US Treasury Secretary Scott Busent stated on Wednesday, March 13, that 'Iran's brazen use of transnational criminal organizations and drug traffickers reflects this regime's efforts to achieve its objectives by any means, regardless of the costs to communities across Europe. The Treasury, along with the US government and our international partners, will continue to apply pressure on those seeking to advance Iran's destabilizing and violent agenda.' Sweden has called for the IRGC to be designated as a 'terrorist' organization. The Foxtrout network is one of the most dangerous criminal gangs in Sweden, responsible for armed conflicts, contract killings, and widespread violence in the country. This group is also recognized as one of the most significant drug and arms trafficking organizations in Europe. Under the announced sanctions, all assets of the Foxtrout network and Rava Majid in the US are blocked, and any financial dealings by US citizens with them are prohibited. Additionally, any attempts to circumvent these sanctions could result in civil and criminal penalties. Previously, following several attacks against Israeli interests on Swedish soil, Stockholm called for the IRGC to be designated as a 'terrorist' organization. In the past year, there have been three attacks against the Israeli embassy in Stockholm, and in the last six months, an Israeli military technology company has been targeted in two attacks. The Swedish Security Service, SAPO, has accused Iran of committing violent crimes against Israel and other targets in Sweden by hiring members of Swedish criminal gangs; Iran has denied these allegations.