Frankfurt (Germany), 30 Sept. (LaPresse) – A major international operation has been launched against the Hells Angels and an alleged European money-laundering network. Over 2,000 officers raided around 140 properties this morning in Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands and Bulgaria, whilst more than a dozen arrest warrants were served against members of the group. This was reported by Bild. The investigations involve a total of more than 70 people. According to investigators, the Hells Angels and over 50 other suspects are alleged to have run a European network to launder millions of euros derived, amongst other things, from alleged drug and arms trafficking, extortion and activities linked to prostitution. The authorities aim to seize assets worth almost 50 million euros, including property, luxury cars, cash, gold and other valuables. The operation is centred on North Rhine-Westphalia, specifically in Duisburg and Oberhausen, where over 100 flats, houses and commercial premises have been searched. More than 200 officers from special units across six federal states are also taking part in the operation. The investigation, coordinated by the Duisburg Public Prosecutor’s Office and the Duisburg police, has been ongoing for over four years and was triggered by a shooting in May 2022 in the Hamborn district of Duisburg, in which four people were seriously injured. The suspects face a range of charges, including criminal association, professional money laundering, extortion, organised fraud, breaches of firearms legislation, causing bodily harm and tax evasion. According to investigators, shell companies and complex corporate structures were used to channel money of alleged criminal origin into the legal economy, which was subsequently invested in businesses and property. “This is the biggest blow to organised crime in recent years,” said North Rhine-Westphalia’s Minister of the Interior, Herbert Reul.
Germany: major operation against the Hells Angels, raids in four countries
Frankfurt (Germany), 30 Sept. (LaPresse) – A major international operation has been launched against the Hells Angels and an alleged European money-laundering network. Over 2,000 officers raided around 140 properties this morning in Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands and Bulgaria, whilst more than a dozen arrest warrants were served against members of the group. This was reported by Bild. The investigations involve a total of more than 70 people. According to investigators, the Hells Angels and over 50 other suspects are alleged to have run a European network to launder millions of euros derived, amongst other things, from alleged drug and arms trafficking, extortion and activities linked to prostitution. The authorities aim to seize assets worth almost 50 million euros, including property, luxury cars, cash, gold and other valuables. The operation is centred on North Rhine-Westphalia, specifically in Duisburg and Oberhausen, where over 100 flats, houses and commercial premises have been searched. More than 200 officers from special units across six federal states are also taking part in the operation. The investigation, coordinated by the Duisburg Public Prosecutor’s Office and the Duisburg police, has been ongoing for over four years and was triggered by a shooting in May 2022 in the Hamborn district of Duisburg, in which four people were seriously injured. The suspects face a range of charges, including criminal association, professional money laundering, extortion, organised fraud, breaches of firearms legislation, causing bodily harm and tax evasion. According to investigators, shell companies and complex corporate structures were used to channel money of alleged criminal origin into the legal economy, which was subsequently invested in businesses and property. “This is the biggest blow to organised crime in recent years,” said North Rhine-Westphalia’s Minister of the Interior, Herbert Reul.