Dutch suspects identified for German ATM bombings, massive drug lab

A 56-year-old Dutch man was arrested after a huge lab was discovered in Germany, which was being used to make ecstasy pills. The German Public Prosecution Service called it the biggest drugslab they have seen in the last 23 years. Two Germans were also arrested, aged 57 and 59. Customs in Essen announced the actions of the past few months on Thursday. Several Dutchmen were also sentenced to jail on Wednesday for multiple ATM explosions in Germany.

The case was started when German customs found an "extraordinarily high amount" of raw materials for ecstasy during a border control in February. Detectives raided a warehouse in Hückelhoven, which is just over the border by Roermond, on May 11. Around 3,000 liters of chemicals had been delivered there a few days earlier.

Police officers found almost 200 kilos of MDMA, which is the raw material for ecstasy, as well as 4,700 liters of chemicals and around 130,000 euros in cash. The amount of MDMA alone could have been used to make more than 1.3 million ecstasy pills with a value of more than 10.4 million euros, according to customs.

At a farm in Nettetal, just over the border from Venlo, detectives found around 100 kilos of raw materials for the design drug 4-CMC and more than 1,800 liters of chemicals for the production of MDMA. Both places contained so many drugs that the police needed around a week to investigate and remove everything.

Six buildings in Roermond, Venlo, Leudel, and Nederweert were searched last week. This is how the Dutch man was arrested. A search was also conducted in Kinrooi, Belgium, just across the border from Maasbracht. A 54-year-old Belgian suspect is still at large.

A 23-year-old Dutchman is also suspected of a series of ATM bombings in Germany. The police tracked him down through a DNA match. He was arrested in Delft on July 17 for fencing. The man has been in jail since then, and Germany has requested extradition. A European arrest warrant had been issued against the man.

The suspect reportedly was involved in several burglaries in Münsterland in November 2023. According to the German police, he is a member of a gang that has committed various crimes in Haltern am See, Marl, and Nienberge. The same getaway car was used each time, according to the police.

Several data carriers and mobile phones were seized during the suspect's house search.

The court in Bamberg, Germany, sentenced a group of 15 men to prison sentences of up to five years and 11 months for ATM bombings. Most of the men were from the Netherlands and between the ages of 23 and 43 years old. They are accused of committing 30 ATM bombings in the last three years. Over 3.3 million euros was stolen by the suspects.

The damage caused by the ATM bombings is estimated at around 5.5 million euros. Most of the bombings took place in the southern states of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg, but the group also struck in other places in Germany.

The Public Prosecution Service in Bamberg called the convictions an "important success in the fight against organized crime."

More than 70 trial days were actually allocated for the mega trial, but it lasted considerably less because most suspects made a deal. In exchange for statements, agreements were made about the penalties to be imposed. The verdict against a 16th suspect will follow later.

According to the indictment, the group acted very professionally. Members performed different tasks within the group. Garages along the border with Germany were used as a base. Targets were viewed in advance, and escape routes were carefully planned. Getaway cars were also equipped with stolen license plates.