Dutch criminals hired for violent attacks in German drugs gang war; 23 arrested
Dutch criminals were hired to carry out a series of violent attacks in Germany, including kidnappings and the use of explosives, amid an escalating feud among gangs involved in drug trafficking, Europol announced on Thursday. A total of 23 people were arrested in a joint police operation by authorities in the Netherlands and Germany.
The dispute originated in Cologne, Germany, where a disagreement led one party to hire Dutch criminals to conduct retaliatory attacks on German soil, Europol alleged. Police in both countries monitored the situation before conducting a coordinated “action day” in Amsterdam on Tuesday.
This resulted in three arrests and raids on eight homes. Prior to this, 20 suspects had already been taken into custody, and several other searches were carried out as part of the ongoing investigation.
Authorities seized several items, including a converted firearm, explosives, 20,000 euros in cash, illicit substances, and mobile phones. The suspects are accused of kidnapping, assault, and drug trafficking.
Europol stated that the criminals used minors to perform some of the attacks. They added that this highlights “the unsettling and increasing trend of crime-as-a-service involving a younger age group.”
A Europol expert was deployed to the mobile center in Amsterdam on the day of the operation to perform cross-checks.
The criminals' choice to use explosives “highlights the criminals’ disregard for potential collateral damage and injury,” Europol’s statement read.
