Police also in action in Bavaria: tax raids in three EU countries

Status: 10/20/2021 10:42 a.m.

In a major action, investigators struck in Germany, Italy and Bulgaria. The raids were aimed at suspects alleged to have evaded millions in taxes and who may have ties to the Mafia.

In a joint, internationally organized action, investigators in Germany, Italy and Bulgaria took action against a group with alleged connections to the mafia organization ‘Ndrangheta. The members of this group are accused of forming a criminal organization and tax evasion in the millions.

In Germany, the raids concentrated on Bavaria, according to the “Bild” on the greater area around Ingolstadt. The police headquarters of Upper Bavaria North in Ingolstadt confirmed the searches in the state. How many suspects the action was directed against remained open.

A total of 46 searches in three countries

In Bavaria, 17 apartments and commercial premises were searched. If you add the raids in Italy and Bulgaria, a total of 46 objects were searched. The Munich Center of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office was in charge of the international operation. The Augsburg tax investigation team was also involved in Bavaria. According to the dpa news agency, forces from the Special Command South Bavaria were also used in the raids there.

Connections to the Italian Mafia?

Several of the suspects are suspected of being members of the ‘Ndrangheta or having ties to the Italian mafia organization. The Calabrian-based organization is considered one of the largest and most powerful criminal syndicates in Europe. It is estimated that the ‘Ndrangheta has annual sales in the double-digit billions.

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