Drug swamp in southern Brandenburg: Four arrests in major raid!

Drug swamp in southern Brandenburg: Four arrests in major raid!

A significant blow to organized crime was recently carried out in Berlin. Investigators arrested four suspects on June 12, 2025 who are suspected of playing a central role in drug trafficking in the region. The arrested people, including three men and a woman between the ages of 40 and 54, were nabbed in several residential properties in Berlin and nearby Beelitz. They are suspected to be part of a network-like system that deals in various narcotics such as crystal meth, cocaine and cannabis. A lot of evidence came to light during the searches: around ten kilograms of drugs as well as several thousand euros in cash, cell phones and materials for drug production were seized. What is particularly explosive is that arrest warrants were issued for two of the suspects, two men aged 47 and 48, and they are now in a correctional facility. The investigation to uncover the extensive network remains ongoing.

Could Berlin be a center for organized crime? A look at the numbers shows that the capital is actually a heated backdrop for criminal activities. In 2023, 66 major investigations against organized gang crime were initiated here, affecting 485 suspected perpetrators. Berlin ranks fourth behind North Rhine-Westphalia, Lower Saxony and Bavaria for such incidents. The police note that the majority of investigations in Berlin concern drug trafficking, theft and smuggling. Nearly half of those narcotics investigations were based on decrypted chats from EncroChat cell phones, an indication that authorities are using well-known techniques to curb crime.

Organized crime in focus

The structures of organized crime in Germany are diverse and deeply rooted. According to Statista, a total of 642 investigations into organized crime were recorded in 2023. It is particularly noteworthy that around 41% of these proceedings concern drug trafficking. It is clear that the phenomenon of clan crime is firmly anchored in Germany, with family-structured groups being active in the drug and narcotics trade.

The complexity of the drug trade and the violence associated with it are alarming. According to reports, criminal gangs in Berlin have connections to numerous international networks and use aggressive methods to protect their interests. It has been documented that weapons are used for intimidation. The worst acts of violence, such as attacks on witnesses, illustrate the seriousness with which these gangs operate.

A look at those involved

Statistics show that the suspects in Berlin are a diverse mix of different nationalities. 66% come from abroad, while 34% are German. Particularly striking are the large groups of Polish, Turkish and Ukrainian suspects who are actively involved in drug trafficking. It is reported that some gangs harbor structures from Chechnya or Italian mafia branches, further complicating the spectrum of organized crime in Germany.

So the lords of drugs and their lucrative business are making headlines. But how can the authorities take effective action against clan crime? The police union is calling for far-reaching measures, such as reversing the burden of proof when confiscating assets, in order to put a stop to criminal structures. Berlin is often described as a hotspot for organized crime and the need for consistent police action is becoming increasingly louder.

The challenges are clear: a highly explosive environment in which criminal structures not only exist but also thrive. It remains to be seen what further steps the police will take to put a stop to organized drug trafficking and escalating clan crime.

The investigation into the recently uncovered drug network shows that there is still a lot to be done to make the streets safer. The actors have been locked away for the time being, but the questions remain: How can the roots of this crime be uprooted and what will become of the countless victims of drug trafficking?

The fight against organized crime will be a long one, but the first steps have been taken. Perhaps the key lies in cooperation between the authorities to put an end to this double life of the gangs and their businesses.