2023 could be a grim record year for explosions in Sweden, and the police’s view is that the leakage of explosives from buildings to criminals is a strong contributing factor. But it is unusual for someone in the industry to be suspected and prosecuted for leaking explosives on a larger scale as in this case.
Today’s indictment at Solna District Court concerns a case where the police, after wiretapping, attacked a car that had several boxes of dynamite and explosives. The two men in the car had previously run companies that carried out work with explosives, but no longer had the required permits. The next day, another man was arrested in Norrtälje.
– He has worked as a blaster at a larger company that carries out rock blasting, says Lotta Karlsson, chamber prosecutor.
“You give, take and borrow”
The three men are now charged on suspicion of particularly serious crimes against the Act on Flammable and Explosive Goods. All deny wrongdoing. The rock blaster is suspected of having taken 125 kg of explosives from his employer and sold them to the others. In questioning, he says that it is “industry practice to give, take and borrow from each other”.
In the current case, the investigators have not been able to prove what the dynamite would be used for, one of the suspects says he would use it for a construction project. He was also able to retrieve the other explosive that was in the car – 146 kg – from a company that sells dynamite, despite his permit having expired.
Prosecutor tight-lipped about connections
But the mountain blaster is also in custody in another investigation together with several other men regarding planned crimes of violence.
– It concerns preparation for public destruction, so there are suspicions that the explosives would be used criminally, says Lotta Karlsson.
She is tight-lipped about that investigation, charges are expected this fall, and does not want to comment on possible connections to criminal networks.
The industry organization welcomes the fact that unsuitable blasters are discovered and removed.
Jan Johansson, the Association of Rock Blasters, BEF, wants tighter controls on the blasters – see more in the clip