Illegal Activity - Suspected gang involved in illegal employment under investigation, officials announce raids.
In Hamburg and Schleswig-Holstein, approximately 800 customs officials carried out inspections on various businesses and apartments on Tuesday. As per the prosecutor's office in Lübeck, the primary customs location in Itzehoe, and the tax office, nearly 100 search warrants were implemented. Five individuals from a construction firm based in Schleswig-Holstein with a branch in Hamburg were the primary targets.
The authorities reported that they uncovered and safeguarded a substantial amount of evidence during the operations. They apprehended two individuals on provisional charges, while arrest warrants were issued for the same two. Witnesses and suspects were also questioned by the investigating team.
These five men from the construction sector are identified to have withheld approximately 1.5 million euros in social security contributions since 2017. Along with avoidance of income tax on a massive scale, they are also accused of trafficking foreign workers into Germany for commercial purposes. Their scheme to hide the undeclared cash provided to the workers involved making payments to various service companies without receiving any actual services in return.
Official statement from the customs department.
