Status: 03/15/2023 09:33 a.m
In Berlin and Saxony-Anhalt, police forces have taken action against members of a suspected gang of people smugglers. Many homes and offices have been searched since morning. According to the police, there were five arrests.
With a raid in Berlin and Halle in Saxony-Anhalt, around 400 police officers took action against a suspected gang of people smugglers. Its members are said to have brought people from Iraq and Turkey to Germany.
In Berlin, 25 apartments and commercial premises were searched as part of the campaign rbb reported. The operation took place in the districts of Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf, Mitte, Reinickendorf and Treptow-Köpenick. Also in Halle were loud MDR Homes and offices searched by officers. The Berlin State Criminal Police Office, the Berlin public prosecutor’s office and special task forces such as the GSG 9 of the Federal Police were also involved in the raid.
Police said five suspects were arrested. Four arrests were made in Berlin, one in Halle. A total of 18 suspects are being investigated, among other things because of the allegation of commercial smuggling of people.
By plane to Sarajevo, then by car via the Balkan route
The alleged members of the gang are accused of having smuggled at least 90 people into Germany – primarily from Turkey and Iraq. The migrants are said to have first traveled by plane from Istanbul to Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and were then probably taken to Germany by car via the so-called Balkan route. The alleged smugglers are said to have demanded up to 10,000 euros per person.
According to further information from the federal police, there were people in several of the searched apartments who may have been smuggled in and whose origin and residence status are now being checked. In addition, the officers confiscated evidence such as cell phones during the raid in order to evaluate their data. The aim was also to secure money and other assets.