German Police Raid 19 Properties in People Smuggling Probe
German police conducted a series of raids on Wednesday across 19 properties as part of an investigation into a suspected people smuggling network operating throughout the country.
The coordinated operation spanned multiple states, including Thuringia, Baden-Württemberg, Schleswig-Holstein, North Rhine-Westphalia, and Saxony-Anhalt. A significant focus was placed on Jena, a city in Thuringia.
Authorities executed five arrest warrants for Syrian and Iraqi nationals, with investigations targeting 18 individuals involved in roles ranging from drivers to senior organizers within the network. A total of 340 officers, including special forces, participated in the raids, particularly in Jena, where one suspect deemed potentially dangerous was located. However, police did not confirm if the individual was armed.
According to investigators, individuals being smuggled were housed in a flat in Jena, and payments were funneled through an informal cash transfer system. The network was uncovered after multiple transporters were intercepted along the Western Balkans route, exposing a larger operation.
The suspects are accused of trafficking at least 140 people through the West Balkan route between 2023 and 2024. Investigations are ongoing.
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