More raids
Police continue large-scale operation against smuggling gangs
There were several searches in the Federal Republic on Wednesday (here in Solingen) and Thursday. The investigators focused on a smuggling gang.
© Gianni Gattus / DPA
An international smuggling gang has been the focus of police searches in several federal states since Wednesday. There are also several raids on Thursday morning.
The police have launched their major operation against a suspected woman that began on Wednesday Smuggling gang continued on Thursday. Federal police said that 116 other residences were being searched, which had been “shamly stated” to the authorities in order to “obtain illegal residence permits for alleged foreign skilled workers.” The aim of the searches is to find evidence. Around 600 federal police and public prosecutors took part in the operation on Thursday.
On Wednesday, investigators in eight federal states took action against members of an international smuggling gang. Since the morning, more than a thousand officers have searched 101 residential and business premises, including two law firms and the supposed offices of the fake companies as well as the supposed residences.
Arrests in large-scale operation against smuggling gangs
According to police, ten people were arrested during the operation, including a lawyer. They are said to have recruited wealthy nationals from China and the Arab world through their law firms. With the prospect of a permanent residence permit, the smugglers are said to have paid between 30,000 and 350,000 euros.
A total of 38 people are said to be part of the gang. She and 147 people who were trafficked are being investigated. Among those arrested is an employee of the Düren district who is said to have received a bribe.