Gang Leader Vanja Mijic Sentenced to 11 Years for Drug Trafficking from Serbia

Vanja Mijic, a 38-year-old Serbian national, has been sentenced to 11 years in prison by the Svea Court of Appeal for orchestrating extensive drug trafficking operations in Sweden from Serbia. This decision, announced on July 21, 2025, follows his arrest in Belgrade in October 2023 and upholds a prior ruling from the Södertälje District Court with some minor evidence-related adjustments.

Mijic's operations involved managing drug deals through encrypted communications, which also included discussions about firearms and settling disputes within the criminal underworld. Evidence against him included 11 mobile phones and notebooks that detailed his dealings and debts to other criminals, notably Rawa Majid, a prominent figure in Sweden's criminal landscape. Prosecutors indicated that Mijic is one of approximately 600 gang criminals operating from abroad, highlighting the challenges faced by Swedish law enforcement in tackling such cross-border criminal activities.

Senior prosecutor Johanna Kolga emphasized the significance of targeting leaders of these criminal organizations to disrupt their operations. Mijic's drug-related activities were linked to multiple Swedish cities, including Gothenburg and Stockholm, illustrating the extensive reach of his criminal enterprise.