Police swoop on human trafficking rings in renewed crackdown

By David Hutzler, dpa I Wednesday, Sept. 04, 2024

JENA – German police raided multiple properties across the country early Wednesday as part of an investigation into a suspected people trafficking network.

A police spokesman said that authorities were targeting 19 locations across several German states, including Thuringia, Baden-Württemberg, Schleswig-Holstein, North Rhine Westphalia, and Saxony-Anhalt, with the city of Jena in Thuringia being a key focus.

Five arrest warrants have been executed for Syrian and Iraqi nationals, with investigations covering 18 suspects ranging from drivers to those involved in higher organizational roles.

A total of 340 police officers were deployed, the spokesman said, including special forces in Jena.
One suspect was considered potentially dangerous, but police did not say whether he was armed during the raid.

The individuals being smuggled were initially housed in a flat in Jena, police said.

According to the spokesperson, payments were made through an informal system, with cash being transferred via intermediaries.

Investigators tracked down the suspects after several transporters were stopped on the Western Balkans route, revealing a broader operation.

The suspects are accused of trafficking at least 140 individuals through the West Balkan route during 2023 and 2024.