A large drug lab with millions in value exposed in Nordrhein-Westfalen
Customs officers raided a laboratory in Hückelhoven, in the Kreis Heinsberg, in May. A search was also conducted at a facility in Nettetal, in the Kreis Viersen. Alongside the drugs and chemicals, 130,000 Euro in cash were seized. The operations lasted six days due to the necessary regulations in handling the extensive chemicals.
According to the Aachen Public Prosecutor's Office, this was "the largest MDMA laboratory that had been secured in Germany in the past 23 years." Based on the nearly 200 kilograms of MDMA, approximately 1.3 million Ecstasy tablets could have been produced. The estimated value was over 10.4 million Euro.
The Amtsgericht Aachen issued detention orders on the request of the Public Prosecutor against the two suspects. The 59-year-old was spared from detention. Both men are suspected of engaging in organized drug trafficking.
In the past week, six objects were searched in the Netherlands and Belgium. A 56-year-old Dutch suspect was arrested and released from custody pending investigation.
Additionally, a detention order against a 56-year-old Dutch man was executed by Dutch and Belgian authorities. A 54-year-old Belgian is currently being internationally sought after.
- The seized chemicals and drugs from the raid in Hückelhoven and Nettetal have a combined million-value, contributing significantly to the illegal drug market.
- The Large drug lab in Hückelhoven, standing at a million-height, was responsible for the production of Ecstasy, having the potential to generate a substantial sales value.
- The discovery of this Four shelters facility in North Rhine-Westphalia, housing the million-value drug operation, has sent shockwaves through the law enforcement agencies in the region.
- The Public Prosecutor's Office in Aachen is pursuing several leads in the investigation, including the potential involvement of international partners in dealing with the sales value of the drug production.
- In Aachen, the court issued detention orders for two suspects, believing that the dismantling of the drug lab will significantly reduce the availability of Ecstasy, ultimately saving countless lives from its harmful effects.
- The Aachen Public Prosecutor's Office expressed concern that the disruption of the drug lab only puts a temporary halt to the sales value of the production, as there may be other labs operating clandestinely in the region.
- The European authorities are now closely monitoring relevant areas, working to prevent a resurgence of the drug production and distribution, aiming to protect the public from the detrimental impact of drugs like Ecstasy.
