It was a scene straight out of a crime thriller, but for one hockey coach, it was a shocking reality. Unbeknownst to him, his players were moonlighting as middlemen in a cocaine distribution ring in Stockholm’s upscale Östermalm district.
“If I had known about it,I would have tried to stop it. It has to go,” the coach later admitted, his voice tinged with disbelief.
This revelation came to light during a murder investigation in a mid-sized Swedish city last year. Police stumbled upon a grocer’s customer list, which revealed a group of unusually frequent buyers. These individuals weren’t just stocking up on groceries—they were part of a much darker operation.
From the preliminary investigation, a group of buyers stands out on the grocer’s customer list.
Photo: THE POLICE
In recent years, swedish hockey has been marred by headlines linking elite players to drug-related offenses. Last spring, a player was convicted of drugged driving, and in December, another was arrested on suspicion of multiple drug offenses. These incidents have raised concerns about the culture surrounding the sport.
But the story doesn’t end there. Some players have gone beyond mere drug use, venturing into the business side of the trade.
“I was wholly shocked. It was absolutely insane,”
said an experienced coach, reflecting on the finding that one of his team’s star defensemen was orchestrating a corporate-style cocaine operation in Stockholm’s inner city.
From the Ice to the Underworld
Table of Contents
- 1. From the Ice to the Underworld
- 2. From Hockey Rinks to Cocaine Rings: The Unlikely Downfall of a Promising Athlete
- 3. A Hockey team Tainted by Crime
- 4. To what extent does this case highlight teh need for greater support systems and oversight within Swedish hockey to address substance abuse and potential criminal involvement among players?
Prosecutor Lucas Eriksson described the case as “huge.” Through a combination of EncroChat surveillance, wiretaps, and raids, police dismantled a highly organized drug network. the operation was meticulous, with a cultivated clientele and a closed but extensive circle of buyers.
“They had a cultivated clientele.You only targeted and sold to people you knew or received a proposal from someone in the clientele. it was a relatively closed but large circle,” Eriksson explained.
The group maintained a registry of 184 customers, primarily operating in Stockholm’s inner city. Drugs were stashed in parked mopeds and bicycles, with nearly a kilogram of cocaine discovered hidden in an oven in an Östermalm apartment.
“You had keys in one place and the drugs in another. Then you could channel the narcotics out to those who sold them on the street,” Eriksson added.
The hockey player is 25 years old.
Graphics: Erik Avebäck / Photo: Shutterstock
The 25-year-old hockey player at the center of the scandal managed to balance his life on the ice with his role in the drug trade. His dual life remained hidden until the police’s extensive investigation brought it to light.
This case has sparked a broader conversation about the pressures and temptations faced by young athletes. As the sport grapples with these challenges, the hope is that this shocking revelation will serve as a wake-up call for players, coaches, and organizations alike.
From Hockey Rinks to Cocaine Rings: The Unlikely Downfall of a Promising Athlete
Drugs were hidden in mopeds and bicycles. Pictures from the preliminary investigation.
In a shocking turn of events, a former street vendor with ties to organized crime was sentenced to a lengthy prison term last year. Investigators uncovered a web of connections, revealing that his primary contact was an intermediary—a former hockey teammate. This intermediary, once a technically skilled defender, played a pivotal role in coordinating the logistics of a cocaine distribution network.
“He arranged practical things, served drivers with addresses, also kept in touch with the man who was one of the main managers.”
While orchestrating this illicit operation, the intermediary continued to play hockey in Stockholm’s lower divisions, a stark contrast to his earlier days when he briefly competed at the elite level. His former coach, who had high hopes for his career, expressed deep disappointment.
“As a hockey player, he was truly blessed. He could have gone as far as he wanted, but somehow it has unfortunately gone wrong.”
The coach, a seasoned figure in the sport, was stunned by the allegations. “I’ve heard stories now that I cringe when I hear,” he admitted. ”if I had known about it, I would have tried to stop it.It has to go.”
The police searched several apartment addresses in Östermalm. Photo: EVA TEDESJÖ / DN / TT / TT NEWS AGENCY
A Hockey team Tainted by Crime
The intermediary and the street vendor,both 25,had shared the ice on multiple occasions. “Yes, that’s right. But only a few matches,” the intermediary acknowledged during questioning. The investigation revealed that several individuals with hockey backgrounds were involved, all of whom had played together during their junior years.
“They were all good players and nice teammates,” recalled a former teammate. While one of them had occasionally mentioned drug use, there were no visible signs during their time together. Today, three of these former teammates are convicted of serious drug offenses.
“There are party junkies, but I had no idea that they themselves would be behind it and I couldn’t have imagined that either.”
The intermediary was convicted despite his denials in both the district and appeal courts. The street vendor admitted to handling drugs for a brief period but denied involvement in a larger criminal operation. Last autumn,the Supreme Court declined to hear their appeals,sealing their fates.
This case serves as a stark reminder of how promising lives can take unexpected turns, leaving behind shattered dreams and broken trust.
To what extent does this case highlight teh need for greater support systems and oversight within Swedish hockey to address substance abuse and potential criminal involvement among players?
The story you’ve shared reads like a gripping crime thriller, but for one hockey coach, it was a shocking reality. Unbeknownst to him, his players were moonlighting as middlemen in a cocaine distribution ring in Stockholm’s upscale Östermalm district. The coach, upon discovering the truth, expressed disbelief and regret, stating, “If I had known about it, I would have tried to stop it. It has to go.”
This revelation came to light during a murder inquiry in a mid-sized Swedish city last year. Police stumbled upon a grocer’s customer list, which revealed a group of unusually frequent buyers. These individuals weren’t just stocking up on groceries—thay were part of a much darker operation.The investigation uncovered a highly organized drug network, with hockey players at its core.
In recent years, Swedish hockey has been marred by headlines linking elite players to drug-related offenses. Last spring, a player was convicted of drugged driving, and in December, another was arrested on suspicion of multiple drug offenses. These incidents have raised concerns about the culture surrounding the sport. However, some players have gone beyond mere drug use, venturing into the business side of the trade.
Prosecutor Lucas Eriksson described the case as “huge.” Through a combination of EncroChat surveillance, wiretaps, and raids, police dismantled a sophisticated drug network. The operation was meticulous, with a cultivated clientele and a closed but extensive circle of buyers. Eriksson explained, “They had a cultivated clientele. You only targeted and sold to people you knew or received a proposal from someone in the clientele. It was a relatively closed but large circle.”
the group maintained a registry of 184 customers,primarily operating in Stockholm’s inner city. Drugs were stashed in parked mopeds and bicycles, with nearly a kilogram of cocaine discovered hidden in an oven in an Östermalm apartment. “You had keys in one place and the drugs in another. Then you could channel the narcotics out to those who sold them on the street,” Eriksson added.
At the center of the scandal was a 25-year-old hockey player who managed to balance his life on the ice with his role in the drug trade. His dual life remained hidden until the police’s extensive investigation brought it to light. This case has sparked a broader conversation about the pressures and temptations faced by young athletes. As the sport grapples with these challenges, the hope is that this shocking revelation will serve as a wake-up call for players, coaches, and organizations alike.
The story also ties into broader issues within sports, as highlighted by the IIHF’s suspension of players for violating anti-doping regulations. In one case,a player tested positive for Methylecgonin (a metabolite of cocaine),a prohibited substance under the WADA Prohibited List. This underscores the pervasive nature of drug-related issues in sports, from recreational use to organized crime.
The shocking downfall of these athletes serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by young players in high-pressure environments. It also highlights the need for greater oversight and support systems to prevent such incidents in the future.
