Fifteen-year-old apprehended with firearm en route to Israeli embassy in Östermalm

On the night of May 16, 2024, a 15-year-old is found in a taxi, wearing gloves and with a loaded firearm in his jacket pocket. His destination is the Israeli embassy in Östermalm. This time, police manage to prevent the planned attack. However, around 2 AM on May 17, gunfire erupts at the embassy, perpetrated by a different shooter.

The incident has raised concerns among taxi companies, which describe the situation as troubling. Lina Dahlander, head of Bolt in Sweden, noted that taxi drivers can become unintentionally involved in criminal activities. In response, both Bolt and Taxi Stockholm have implemented various security measures to deter criminals from using their services.

Taxi Stockholm’s CEO, Pernilla Samuelsson, stated that all their cars are equipped with cameras and systems that enable drivers to alert authorities if necessary. In recent years, Bolt has collaborated with police on multiple occasions, aiding investigations. Dahlander emphasized that using their service would not be wise for criminals, given that it leaves a digital trace.

Taxis are not only being used to commit crimes but also for transporting illegal goods. For instance, a 15-year-old was apprehended for delivering 850 grams of hashish to Södertälje, while a case involving the transportation of automatic weapons occurred in Sundsvall.

Moreover, there are incidents where drugs and weapons have been smuggled across borders using taxi services to Finland and Norway.