Drugs - Five men arrested for trafficking a ton of cocaine
The Hamburg Customs Investigation Office has arrested five men on suspicion of trafficking a ton of cocaine with a street value of more than 50 million euros. The suspects, aged between 22 and 43, were arrested in the early hours of the morning during a simultaneous raid on 22 homes and business premises in Hamburg, Lower Saxony and Schleswig-Holstein, the customs authorities announced on Wednesday. During the raid, which involved around 350 officers, high-value cars, expensive pleasure boats, five firearms and six-figure sums of cash were also seized.
Arrest warrants had been issued for the men. They are alleged to have trafficked cocaine from South America, which was smuggled to Germany via the port of Hamburg. The raid by customs, police and the public prosecutor's office was supported by special task forces from various state police forces. The Hamburg State Office of Criminal Investigation and the Hanseatic city's water police also played a key role.
"The Hamburg Customs Investigation Office has today struck an effective blow against an organized criminal group," explained the deputy head of the Hamburg Customs Investigation Office, Ulrich Willamowski. Due to the suspects' possible illegal profits, assets belonging to the suspects were seized during the operation. "Smuggling dangerous drugs must not be profitable," emphasized Willamowski.
Customs release
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- The seized cocaine is believed to have originated from various producers in South America, making this a significant razzia against drug trafficking from that region.
- The arrests in Hamburg, Lower Saxony, and Schleswig-Holstein represent a joint effort by multiple German law enforcement agencies, including the ports of Hamburg and Hamburg's water police.
- The street value of the confiscated cocaine, estimated to be over 50 million euros, highlights the extensive influence and profits generated by criminal drug networks in Germany.
- The druglord's assets, including expensive cars, pleasure boats, and cash, were also seized during the operation as a deterrent to the profitability of such illegal activities in Germany, particularly in places like Hamburg and Lower Saxony.
- With numerous seizures, arrests, and dismantling of criminal networks across Germany, authorities remind the public that they will relentlessly pursue and prosecute criminality associated with drugs, even in major ports like Hamburg.
- The smuggling of illicit substances, such as cocaine, through the Port of Hamburg poses a significant threat to public safety and poses significant economic consequences for the country, including areas like Schleswig-Holstein and Lower Saxony.
Source: www.stern.de
