In a coordinated operation focusing on organized drug crime, police forces throughout Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, Poland and Spain launched raids on residential and business properties early on Thursday.
A complete of 32 properties have been searched and 11 arrest warrants have been executed, the workplace for the prosecution of organized crime within the western German state of North Rhine-Westphalia and native police in Bonn mentioned in a press release.
Moreover, one particular person has been quickly detained.
The operation primarily focused the world round Cologne and Bonn in western Germany, the assertion mentioned.
Investigations are ongoing. The raids are a part of a preliminary inquiry into suspected drug trafficking involving “important portions,” it mentioned.
The objective of the operation is to safe proof and belongings associated to the alleged legal actions, the assertion added.
The police and public prosecutor’s workplace are because of announce extra particulars in regards to the crackdown at a press convention in Bonn on Friday.
North Rhine-Westphalia’s inside minister Herbert Reul known as the Europe-wide operation a profitable transfer within the battle in opposition to organized crime. “No hiding place is secure, no border protects in opposition to prosecution,” he mentioned.
Nevertheless, he warned that the case additionally reveals that one yr after the partial legalisation of hashish in Germany, the unlawful commerce within the drug continues to rise.
Cops search the balcony of a residential constructing. In a Europe-wide operation in opposition to organized drug crime, officers have been looking residential and business properties in Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, Poland and Spain for the reason that morning. Oliver Berg/dpa
