Title: Sundsvall’s ‘Swish List’ Exposes Residents as Suspected Cocaine Buyers
Subtitle: Controversial artifact becomes the centerpiece of an art exhibition at Sundsvall’s Museum
Overnight, hundreds of residents in Sundsvall found themselves at the center of a scandal after being singled out as suspected cocaine buyers. The infamously named ‘Swish List’ has resulted in terminations, suspensions, and fierce debates about party culture in the town. However, it has also given birth to a unique art exhibition that is set to raise eyebrows for its controversial subject matter.
The revelation came when the indictment against more than 20 individuals suspected of involvement in serious drug and violent crimes was made public at the Sundsvall District Court. Among the over 10,000 pages of evidence presented were approximately 40 pages containing the names and phone numbers of hundreds of Sundsvall residents who were allegedly transferring money via Swish to a suspected drug dealer in the city. The total sum exceeded SEK 1.5 million, leading the police to believe that the transfers were linked to payments for cocaine or other illegal substances.
The impact of the ‘Swish List’ on the small town, with just under 60,000 inhabitants, has been profound. Many individuals have been dismissed from their jobs, and the scandal has caused significant upheaval within the community. The exposure of so many residents has sparked a debate over the widespread use of drugs and has shattered the preconception that drug use is limited to a select few.
Henrik Blusi, a municipal police officer in Sundsvall, believes that this list is merely the tip of the iceberg. Blusi suggests that the broad age range of individuals on the list, spanning from 18 to 55 years old, indicates that drug use is not limited to established addicts but has become more pervasive.
The process of prosecuting individuals on the list is still ongoing, and it presents its own challenges. Typically, multiple instances of Swish payments are needed to establish guilt retrospectively. Nonetheless, the consequences for those implicated have been swift and profound. Employees in various industries have been fired on the spot, and the list has been shared widely on social media platforms.
The ensuing debate surrounding the decision to publicly name and shame the alleged buyers has been divisive. Some argue that the individuals who engaged in drug-related activities have “blood on their hands” and should face the consequences. Others, however, criticize the identification of hundreds of people as cocaine buyers, calling it a “witch hunt” and highlighting the potential for innocent individuals to be wrongly implicated.
Multiple individuals, including some whose names appeared on the ‘Swish List,’ have reported the Public Prosecutor’s Office to the Ombudsman. In response to these concerns, Per Lennerbrant, the Parliamentary Ombudsman, announced an investigation into the matter.
In the meantime, artist David Molander plans to incorporate the ‘Swish List’ into a central piece for an upcoming exhibition at Sundsvall’s Museum in December. The exhibition, which will explore the city’s 400-year history, aims to provoke thought and discussion surrounding the controversial topic while inviting viewers to engage with the artwork.
As the JO investigates the handling of the ‘Swish List’ scandal, its legacy lives on through the intersection of art and social discourse. Sundsvall’s Museum hopes that the exhibition will encourage visitors to reflect on their preconceptions and stimulate a broader conversation about drug use and its impact on society.