An Australian-based 15-year-old foreign national hired hitmen in Denmark and Sweden on behalf of a transnational criminal syndicate involved in gang wars, police allege.
Australian Federal Police officers arrested the boy in western Sydney on Wednesday, after a tip-off from Danish Police as part of Operation Dedric, for his suspected role in attempting to organise crime-as-a-service contract killings in the Scandinavian countries.
Crime-as-a-service contract killings involve outsourcing criminal activities to third parties and using online platforms and social media to plan and execute hits.
During the search warrant, the AFP seized electronic devices which will undergo forensic examination.
The teen was accused of attempting to recruit people to commit contract killings in Denmark and Sweden as part of gang conflicts in the Nordic region, Danish Police Deputy Chief Superintendent of the National Special Crime Unit Lars Feldt-Rasmussen said.
He was charged with one count in Australia of using a device connected to a telecommunications network for conspiracy to murder which is punishable by life behind bars.
The teenage boy has been charged with the same offence in Denmark.
He appeared before Surry Hills Children's Court and was refused bail.
The teen is scheduled to reappear before the same court on June 11.
AFP Commander Brett James said close collaboration with international law enforcement agencies put criminals on notice.
"If you think you can use geography to evade law enforcement, you're mistaken," he said.
"The AFP and its partners are always watching, sharing intelligence and ready to apprehend those who wish to harm our communities."
