Oslo police have identified 207 minors from across Norway who are suspected of purchasing narcotics through digital “menus” advertised on encrypted messaging apps. Following a May raid on an Oslo residence, investigators analyzed a seized mobile phone containing a transaction history linked to a Vipps account. According to section leader Christian Skjermo Breivik of the Oslo Police District, the investigation involves children as young as 13 years old, spanning every police district in the country except Finnmark and Troms.
How the digital drug market operates
The investigation suggests a shift in how illegal substances are distributed to youth. Police report that sellers use encrypted applications to broadcast lists of available narcotics, including hashish, cocaine, amphetamine, and Xanax. Christian Skjermo Breivik compared the user experience to legitimate online grocery shopping, where buyers receive a menu of items and specific instructions on how to complete the purchase. This digital model allows transactions to occur without physical contact between the buyer and the seller, a change that Breivik describes as more profit-driven and cynical than traditional street-level drug trade.
The police investigation identified 207 minors aged 13 to 17 who had sent money to a single Vipps account linked to the alleged drug sales. This group includes 36 children aged 14 and 13 children who are 13 years old.
Police response and the focus on prevention
To address the situation, police officers have begun calling the parents of the identified minors. According to police officer Kristoffer Strømme, the objective of these calls is preventive rather than punitive. Parents are informed that their children are not currently under criminal investigation. Instead, the police aim to connect families with local ruskonsulenter in their respective municipalities to provide support. Strømme noted that while many parents expressed initial shock during these conversations, they generally appreciated receiving the information.
Status of the investigation into suspected organizers
While the outreach to parents continues, the criminal investigation into the alleged organizers of the operation remains active. Following the initial raid in May, four individuals in their 20s and 50s—all members of the same family—were arrested on charges of gross narcotics offenses and money laundering. Although they were previously held in custody, they are currently released. Defense attorneys John Christian Elden and Øyvind Bratlien, who represent two of the suspects, have stated that their clients deny criminal guilt. Police prosecutor Maren Brit Østern stated that no further details can be released at this time due to the ongoing nature of the investigation.
What happens next
The investigation is expected to continue as police process evidence gathered from the seized phone and financial records. Future steps may include further coordination with local authorities across the country to ensure that the identified minors receive necessary follow-up from social or health services.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the minors mentioned in the case currently being charged?
No. The police have emphasized that their primary goal is prevention, not punishment. The children are not under criminal investigation, and the police are working to connect them with local support resources.
How did the police identify the buyers?
Investigators discovered a transaction history on a mobile phone seized during a raid on an Oslo residence in May. This history was linked to a Vipps account that showed payments from 207 minors.
What substances were being sold?
According to the police, the digital menus advertised hashish, cocaine, amphetamine, and Xanax.
Have you discussed digital safety and the risks of encrypted messaging apps with the young people in your life?
