Raid in Soest: Illegal gaming machines discovered in tea room
Police, customs and tax authorities conducted a raid in Soest and uncovered an illegally operated gambling establishment in a back room. The authorities also seized untaxed tobacco and undeclared cigarettes.
Illegal gambling operation in Soest tea room
Police, customs, tax authorities and health officials carried out a large-scale operation in Soest on Friday evening. According to tagesschau.de, the focus was on illegal gambling as well as compliance with trade, tax, labour and youth protection regulations.
The most significant discovery was an allegedly illegally operated gambling establishment in the back room of a tea room. Enforcement officers secured four gaming machines there, one of which was being used at the time of the raid. A cigarette vending machine without an official seal and further evidence were also confiscated. Following the violations, the tea room was sealed and closed. Police also initiated criminal proceedings on suspicion of illegal entry and unlawful residence.
In further searches at other establishments, authorities found approximately five kilogrammes of untaxed tobacco in a shisha bar and several hundred undeclared cigarettes in a nightclub. Customs initiated two proceedings on suspicion of tax evasion. During inspections of kiosks, a restaurant and a barber shop, food safety inspectors identified hygiene violations. Further measures are being examined against the barber shop operators for failure to cooperate, and a tax investigation has been initiated.
The raid is part of the 2026 security programme "More Safety in Soest District".
Source: Google News DE — Crime (de)