Two Dutch arrested in German bust of international drug trafficking network

Authorities in Germany have taken down a large international drug trafficking network accused of moving thousands of kilograms of cocaine from South America. Three men were arrested on Tuesday, among them two Dutch suspects aged 59 and 56. Two additional suspects were already being held in connection with separate cases.

Authorities say four drug shipments linked to the group were seized between February last year and January this year. The consignments contained roughly 2,500 kilograms of cocaine concealed in sea containers and air cargo, with the German public prosecutor estimating their street value at around 180 million euros.

The 59-year-old Dutch suspect is said to have managed shell companies used as front operations, while the 56-year-old Dutch suspect is regarded as the leader of the criminal network.

The third suspect arrested on Tuesday is a 53-year-old Turkish man, who was taken into custody during a police raid in Herborn in the German state of Hesse. The two individuals who were already detained in connection with other cases include a 57-year-old German-Turkish national and a 26-year-old Bulgarian suspect, NOS reported.

As part of the police operation on Tuesday, authorities searched 27 properties, including several in the Netherlands. The Dutch suspects were arrested in Amersfoort and Assen. Germany has requested their extradition.

The operation was jointly coordinated by the Public Prosecution Service (OM), German customs (Zoll), and the Frankfurt am Main criminal investigation service.