Overview

• Proceedings began on October 9 at the Cologne regional court against seven men, ages 31 to 55, over roughly ten sea shipments totaling about 40 tonnes of cocaine.
• According to the indictment, a 40-year-old lead defendant worked with two accomplices in Turkey on behalf of an alleged ringleader based in Dubai.
• Prosecutors say the group received €250,000 per container as cocaine was concealed among legitimate cargo such as bananas, pineapples, wheat flour or wood.
• Most of the shipments were discovered during checks at the Port of Hamburg and at earlier stops including Rotterdam, resulting in large seizures.
• Six defendants indicated at least partial admissions while one intends to remain silent, and the court has set 32 further hearing days through March 2026.