Neuss (dpa / lnw) – In a large-scale operation against drug criminals, the police searched twelve properties in Neuss, Düsseldorf and Heinsberg. Almost 200 officers were deployed, the police reported on Wednesday. The blow was directed against a suspected gang of eight who are said to have smuggled drugs from Belgium and France to Germany and sold them in this country. She is said to have operated cannabis plantations in Belgium and France since May 2020, but also brought cocaine to Germany.
Eight men were arrested, five of whom will be released after the identification service has carried out their investigation. A 28-year-old was already wanted on an arrest warrant, and arrest warrants are to be applied for against two others.
A specially trained dog was also used, which can detect money hiding places with its nose. The police seized around 40,000 euros in cash, a large amount of drugs and various weapons. The process started when the crypto messenger service Encrochat, which is used by thousands of criminals, was cracked.
When using crypto technology, many criminals felt completely safe and openly communicated about their businesses, dealings with competitors and drug shipments.
Encrochat was long thought to be unbreakable. When the police in France nevertheless succeeded in 2020, it was a huge success in the fight against organized crime. According to the Federal Criminal Police Office, more than 2,250 investigations have already been initiated nationwide and around 360 existing investigations have been significantly supported.
