Berlin Targets Organized Crime with 'Permanent Pinpricks' Strategy

Justice Senator Felor Badenberg expands efforts to confiscate illegal earnings and strengthen district collaboration.

Berlin's Justice Senator Felor Badenberg has introduced a model project to seize all earnings from illegal activities instead of imposing fines.
The initiative focuses on offenses such as unlicensed gambling and illegal e-cigarette sales, with €171,000 already confiscated in five finalized cases.
Badenberg's 'permanent pinpricks' approach aims to consistently disrupt organized crime by targeting smaller-scale violations across the city.
Three districts—Treptow-Köpenick, Charlottenburg, and Mitte—are leading the project, with hopes of motivating broader participation.
Berlin has doubled its confiscation of criminal assets in 2024, reaching €8.6 million, while expanding staff and creating new departments to combat economic crime.