- Search of refugee homes <unk> five men in custody
Raids in refugee accommodations in the Stuttgart area have led to the arrest of eight men suspected of trading in prescription painkillers and drugs. Five men are currently in custody, according to a spokesperson for the customs office.
During the raids, approximately 4,350 tablets of the prescription painkiller Pregabalin, over 400 grams of ecstasy tablets, 400 amphetamine tablets, around 3,000 euros in cash, and other evidence were seized.
The investigation began with the control of a 26-year-old who had entered Germany from Belgium in February with 30,000 tablets of Pregabalin. The tablets found then and during the raids this Wednesday would have a total street value of around 100,000 euros, according to the customs office.
The 26-year-old was previously convicted for a serious case of trading in drugs and sentenced to two years and six months in prison.
Suspects are believed to have sold their goods in Stuttgart
The raids took place in refugee accommodations in Deizisau and Leinfelden-Echterdingen in the Esslingen district, as well as in Mannheim and Schwäbisch Hall. Two men were also arrested at Stuttgart's main train station.
The suspects, aged between 21 and 26, are believed to have brought thousands of painkillers from abroad to Baden-Württemberg and stored them in refugee homes. From there, they are said to have sold their goods primarily in the city of Stuttgart.
The five men in custody had existing arrest warrants executed against them. Three other men were provisionally arrested during the raids on Wednesday and later released. The investigation is ongoing.
The suspects were reportedly storing the seized drugs in asylum accommodation, specifically in Deizisau and Leinfelden-Echterdingen. After their arrests, the five men in custody were found to have warrants for their arrest related to their illegal activities.
