Berlin police conduct nighttime special operation on Kurfürstendamm – focus on drugs, clans and luxury cars
A specialist unit of Berlin police has targeted criminals on the Kurfürstendamm at night who use cars for transporting drugs and weapons. Officers carried out checks on several luxury vehicles and seized weapons and cash.
Berlin police conduct nighttime special operation on Kurfürstendamm – focus on drugs, clans and luxury cars
On the Kurfürstendamm in Berlin, a special police unit targeted criminals at night who abuse vehicles for transporting drugs and weapons. The officers checked numerous luxury cars and seized weapons and cash in four-figure amounts in the process.
Officers of the traffic safety service 23 searched several high-powered vehicles. In a frog-green Audi RS Q3, investigators found pepper spray in the driver's door, two knives in the passenger door and a baseball bat in the boot. Several thousand euros in cash – whose origin was unclear – were also seized. The driver's two mobile phones rang continuously during the check. The investigators opened proceedings on suspicion of money laundering.
Later, plainclothes detectives observed a handover to a man crouching at an expensive BMW in Schlüterstraße. During the subsequent check, they discovered 5000 euros in cash in the man's trouser pocket. The unemployed BMW driver stated he had debts with the man. The recipient claimed he wanted to borrow the money. The officers seized the notes – suspicion of money laundering.
At around 0.52 a.m., officers pursued an Audi in Kantstraße that had previously come to attention in connection with clan crime. The driver attempted several times to lose the police by driving in circles and accelerating. After three minutes, officers stopped the vehicle in the middle of the Kudamm using a stinger. Leon and his colleagues boxed in the vehicle and arrested the driver at gunpoint. A group of young men immediately protested loudly against the measure.
During the search, officers established that the vehicle did not belong to the men. Neither drugs nor weapons were found on board. The driver and passenger were known to police, including for serious offences. The two were eventually allowed to continue.
The officers explained that young women are frequently used to register cars and conceal their actual use. This made confiscation considerably more difficult. During their shift, the officers continuously checked number plates for registered owners, criminal records and suspicious activity.
Source: BILD