Raid against drug and smuggling gang: the police hold numerous suspects

Raid against drug and smuggling gang: the police hold numerous suspects

Düren, Deutschland - The police carried out a large-scale raid in Germany on Thursday afternoon to smash a suspected drug and smuggling ring. According to information from Oe24.at , including Essen, Frankfurt am Main and Düsseldorf, 600 civil servants were intensive. The focus of the searches was on several objects, including in Düren and Solingen, with a total of 116 places being examined. In these missions, the authorities arrested four suspects, including two federal police officers who were arrested during their service.

While the investigation in the drug cases was already underway, there was a connection to an international gang of smuggling. This is said to have recruited wealthy foreigners, mainly from China and the Arab world, with the prospect of a stay in Germany. The main suspects, two lawyers from the Cologne area, were apparently able to create false submissions and fictitious wage payments. This reports wdr.de . The public prosecutor suspects that the smells have paid up to 360,000 euros for residence permits. Investigations have been running since 2020, with indications already in 2016.

massive searches and arrests

The raid also led to searches in various cities such as Cologne, Bonn, and Mülheim an der Ruhr. Officials searched not only apartments, but also the offices of lawyers and even public authorities, where bribes are suspected for the issuance of residence permits. In doing so, considerable evidence, including 210,000 euros in cash. The authorities have blocked 269 bank accounts and occupied 31 properties with security mortgages. These comprehensive searches are skilled in the structures of organized crime, which extends into public office.