Bandidos Ban in NRW Faces Challenges with New Chapter Formations

Police and authorities are investigating whether newly formed motorcycle groups in NRW are successors to the banned Bandidos MC Federation West Central.

The Bandidos MC Federation West Central was banned by the German Interior Ministry in 2021 for criminal activities.
Several new motorcycle groups, or 'chapters,' have since emerged in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), raising questions about their legality.
The Landeskriminalamt (LKA) is examining these groups on a case-by-case basis to determine if they fall under the original ban as successor organizations.
Authorities report that approximately 150 former Bandidos members, including senior leaders, have joined the rival group Hells Angels since the ban.
Local police, the LKA, and federal agencies are collaborating to assess the situation and ensure compliance with the ban.