- Accusation of Criminal Collaboration Leads to Arrests in Leipzig
It's believed that these Leipzig and Berlin guys have been involved in illicit financial dealings, allegedly utilizing their funds to remunerate smugglers. Following searches in both cities, three individuals are now under arrest, accused of establishing a criminal organization and misusing financial regulations, as declared by the Dresden Prosecutor's Office.
Currently, investigations by the Prosecutor's Office and the Federal Police Inspectorate for Combating Crime in Halle (Saale) have focused on nine men between the ages of 17 and 49. They're alleged to have managed an unlawful Hawala banking network.
"Hawala" originates from the Arabic term "transfer." This system allows money to be moved across borders outside the framework of standard banking procedures, for a fee. While this technique can be employed for legitimate reasons, it also serves as a tool for criminals to disguise the funds' source.
Data was obtained during the raids in Berlin and Leipzig.
The initial suspicion stems from investigations into a separate case involving alleged organized and commercial trafficking of foreign nationals. It's also suspected that this Hawala system was employed to compensate smuggling fees.
On a Wednesday, several flats, a retail store, and a garden plot in Leipzig, as well as an apartment in Berlin, were thoroughly searched. Large quantities of evidence, such as business records, mobile devices, digital media, and cash were seized. Alongside 166 law enforcement officers, a money-tracking dog and a data carrier tracking dog were deployed during the operation.
The exact amount of money transferred is still a subject of ongoing investigations. Preliminary findings suggest that approximately 1.4 million euros may have been illegally transferred.
The investigations in Halle (Saale) have also tracked the involvement of these nine individuals in Dresden, as they're believed to have extended their illegal Hawala banking network to the city.
The seized evidence from the raids in Leipzig and Berlin provides insights into the scope of their operations, indicating potential financial transactions in Dresden as well.
