Raid against cocaine smugglers: three men arrested in northern Germany
Investigators have arrested three suspects in a large-scale operation across three federal states. The gang is suspected of bringing South American cocaine to Europe via North Sea ports.
Raid against cocaine smugglers: three men arrested in northern Germany
A joint special unit took three alleged drug dealers into custody on Tuesday. The operations took place simultaneously in Hamburg, Lower Saxony and Schleswig-Holstein. Officers searched a total of 16 premises – residential and business addresses.
The arrested men are suspected of leading a smuggling ring that brought narcotics from South America to Europe via North Sea ports. They allegedly used their contacts in the global fruit trade to conceal the cocaine in freight containers. To disguise the shipments, they are also suspected of establishing shell companies.
According to Hamburg's public prosecutor's office and the BKA federal criminal police, ten persons were involved in the network. Seven of them – including suspects from Switzerland – are still being sought. The three arrested men were remanded in custody on the orders of a Hamburg judge.
The operation involved the BKA, federal police, customs authorities and state police forces from three federal states. Swiss authorities cooperated closely with the German authorities.
During the house searches, investigators seized numerous mobile phones, computers and shipping documents. They also froze accounts and assets in the six-figure range.
Source: FINK.HAMBURG
Source: Google News DE — Crime (de)