Police score sensitive blow against gang criminality
For over two years, violent clashes between two rival groups have been occurring in South Germany. The police have arrested and convicted numerous suspects. Once again, they have achieved a success. During raids, numerous weapons were found and handcuffs clicked several times.
For over two years, the violent feud between two rival groups in the Stuttgart region has made headlines - now, investigators report another success. During a raid, the homes and workplaces of ten suspects were searched, according to the prosecutor's office and criminal investigation office.
At least one of them is believed to be affiliated with one of the groups. Others belong to their inner circle of suspected criminals. Six arrest warrants were executed during the operation on the early Monday, as reported. The "Stuttgarter Zeitung" and "Stuttgarter Nachrichten" were the first to report on this.
Drugs smuggled into prison
According to investigators, the eight men aged between 22 and 31 and the two women aged 20 and 23 allegedly dealt in large quantities of drugs. The suspects are said to have smuggled synthetic cannabinoid-laced paper into a detention center and distributed it. The paper was reportedly disguised as legal mail and sent to the detention center. In total, 15 objects were searched in Göppingen, Eislingen, Kirchheim unter Teck, Rechberghausen, and Stuttgart. Among other things, a sharp firearm and ammunition were found in a residence.
State Interior Minister Thomas Strobl stated: "We have had another major success against the criminal groups in the Stuttgart region." The criminal clashes will be "relentlessly and consistently" combated, Strobl added.
The groups - one is roughly associated with the regions of Esslingen, Ludwigsburg, and Plochingen, the other with the Stuttgart district of Zuffenhausen and Göppingen - are estimated to have more than 500 members, mostly young people, according to earlier expert assessments. According to the State Criminal Police Office, 74 alleged accomplices had been arrested as of Friday. Over 200 search warrants had been executed, 31 firearms had been seized, and around 50 knives secured. However, it is largely unclear why the two groups have joined forces and why they are fighting so violently.
Criminal groups keep themselves in business with crimes
In the past few months, the number of violent incidents in the feud has significantly decreased. According to a previous assessment by LKA President Andreas Stenger, this could be due to ongoing investigations, arrests, and ongoing criminal trials and initial judgments.
The last incident occurred on December 12, when four to six masked individuals attacked an alleged opponent in Stuttgart and seriously injured him. On January 11, a hand grenade was found in Urbach. Since then, no crimes have been reported that can be attributed to the series.
The police's efforts against organized crime in Baden-Württemberg have been international in scope, with investigations revealing links between local gangs and their counterparts abroad.
Infringing on the state's legal order does not stop at city borders, as evident in the case of the smuggling of drugs into a detention center, revealing the extensive reach of these criminal networks.
The successful raids and arrests of suspected criminals involved in armed clashes and drug-related activities highlight the importance of a strong partnership between local and state forces in combating organized crime.
