More than 1,000 officers carried out coordinated raids across Germany and other European countries on Wednesday targeting an international money‑laundering ring and suspected Hells Angels members, dpa reported.
Authorities in Duisburg said several arrest warrants were likely to be executed and that 140 properties were being searched. The operation, witnessed by a dpa reporter and involving special forces, is led by prosecutors in Duisburg and remains ongoing.
Early on Wednesday, more than 1,000 police officers carried out coordinated raids across Germany and several other European countries, targeting an international money‑laundering network and suspected members of the Hells Angels biker gang, dpa reported.
Operation details: Authorities in the western German city of Duisburg said multiple arrest warrants were expected to be executed. Dpa sources reported that investigators were searching a total of 140 properties linked to the probe. Prosecutors in Duisburg are leading the operation.
A dpa reporter witnessed a major police deployment involving special forces at the home of an influential Hells Angels member in Duisburg on Wednesday morning. Police confirmed searches were under way in several German states and in other European countries.
Scope and significance: The scale and cross‑border coordination of the raids underline law enforcement’s intensified efforts to disrupt organised crime and complex money‑laundering schemes that move illicit funds across jurisdictions.
What officials say: A police spokeswoman described the targets as both an international network of money launderers and a criminal organisation that dpa understands to be the Hells Angels. Authorities said further details on arrests or charges would be released as the investigation progresses.
Next steps: Searches and enquiries remain ongoing. Prosecutors and police are expected to provide updates once arrests are executed and evidence has been processed.
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