Overview

• Numerous officers from state police, customs and special units carried out synchronized searches in multiple Ruhrgebiet cities, notably Mülheim.
• The raids represent the latest in a series of actions since October targeting narcotics, arms trafficking, extortion and illegal gambling networks.
• Prosecutors have not disclosed specific charges while they assess evidence gathered during the raids.
• Investigators worked with Europol and Interpol to trace cross-border links believed to underlie regional crime syndicates.
• Westdeutsche Allgemeine Zeitung published reports on the sweep before formal confirmation by Düsseldorf authorities.