Overview

• 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.