The Alleged Mafia Mole Inside Switzerland's Federal Police – A Couple Accused of Betraying Their Badge
He worked as a bodyguard for Swiss government officials. She ran a small fashion boutique. Prosecutors say they were both selling secrets to organised crime.
One of Switzerland's highest security authorities has allegedly been infiltrated by the Mafia. The Federal Office of Police (Fedpol) – the central agency responsible for the country's internal security – is now at the centre of a scandal involving one of its own. The irony is bitter: Fedpol has repeatedly warned that organised crime is active in Switzerland. Now prosecutors say a Fedpol employee was working for the other side.
The suspect, identified by Blick as Gabriel W. (early 40s), worked for the Federal Security Service (BSD) – the unit responsible for protecting Swiss government ministers, parliament, and foreign dignitaries. Instead of guarding the country's leaders, he is accused of selling information to the drug Mafia. The Federal Prosecutor's Office alleges that he received over 100,000 Swiss francs in bribes in exchange for passing confidential data to at least one person linked to "mafia structures and organised drug trafficking."
He was arrested ten days ago by Fedpol's special unit Tigris – at his workplace, no less, in the same building that houses Fedpol and the Office of the Attorney General. Five other people were also taken into custody. Among them: his wife, Jasmin W. (early 40s).
The couple lives with their children in a modern single-family home in a prime location in the Basel area. Both are Swiss citizens with migrant backgrounds. Social media photos show them smiling lovingly, leaning into each other. Pictures of their two children are also visible. Friends and family are struggling to believe the allegations. "They are the kindest and most upright people imaginable," a source from their circle told Blick. There is speculation that the alleged mole may have been blackmailed or pressured by criminals – pushed onto a slippery slope rather than jumping voluntarily.
The couple reportedly met while both worked for the Basel city cantonal police. Gabriel W. later also worked for the Basel public prosecutor's office. His wife, according to her LinkedIn profile, worked for the Basel-Stadt cantonal police for over ten years. "But when she became a mother, she gave up her police job," a source said. Today, she runs a small retail shop. According to friends, both donate generously to his home country. Two employees at her shop declined to comment.
The couple is described as down-to-earth, taking holidays in their respective homelands. "There is no conspicuous luxury," a source said. The house was bought only two or three years ago, after the couple sold their previous home in a neighbouring town at a profit.
The Basel area is known to host various organisations involved in drug and human trafficking. Members of these groups have faced multiple court proceedings in recent years. One high-profile case involved a former Hells Angel from Basel, where Swiss national football team coach Murat Yakin and star striker Breel Embolo appeared as plaintiffs.
Gabriel W. had previously worked at the federal police's operations and alarm centre, known as "Sirene" – a hub where criminal investigation and wanted-persons data are collected. In other words, exactly the kind of information that criminals would find very valuable.
On Friday, family members were seen at the couple's house. The children are reportedly now in the care of child protection services (KESB), which declined to comment. All parties involved are presumed innocent until proven otherwise.
The case has repercussions in Bern. Federal Councillor Beat Jans and Fedpol Director Eva Wildi-Cortés have ordered an internal investigation. Fedpol stressed that "based on the current state of knowledge, there are no indications of fundamental or systematic weaknesses." Nevertheless, the Federal Department of Justice and Police (EJPD) and Fedpol will establish a working group to analyse the incident in detail, identify potential weaknesses in processes and controls, and propose measures to close any gaps.
For now, the man who was supposed to protect Switzerland's leaders is behind bars. His wife, who once wore the same uniform, is there with him. And the Mafia – the very organisation Fedpol is meant to fight – reportedly had a man on the inside. Switzerland's security establishment is now asking itself a very uncomfortable question: how deep does the rot go?