Police Crack Down on Human Smuggling Network in Chemnitz

In a significant law enforcement operation targeting human trafficking and smuggling, authorities in Germany and the Czech Republic executed coordinated raids leading to multiple arrests. This operation was conducted under the auspices of EUROPOL and EUROJUST, highlighting international cooperation in tackling organized crime.

Authorities executed five arrest warrants and conducted 32 searches across various locations simultaneously. The investigation focused on an international syndicate suspected of facilitating the illegal entry of Vietnamese nationals into Germany and the Czech Republic, where these individuals were allegedly exploited in various prostitution establishments.

During the operation, a 70-year-old German national was apprehended in Chemnitz, along with a 31-year-old German in Limbach-Oberfrohna. Czech authorities also arrested two men, aged 28 and 54, and a 53-year-old Vietnamese woman in locations including Plzen, Prehysov-Nyrany, and Lensice.

Financial assets tied to the main suspects in both countries have been frozen, amounting to approximately EUR1.2 million. The raids yielded cash, vehicles, and luxury items valued at around EUR27,000. Additionally, the authorities registered security mortgages against properties belonging to the primary suspects.

A total of 32 sites were subjected to searches, including 27 in Germany and six in the Czech Republic. The cities involved in this extensive operation included Chemnitz, Limbach-Oberfrohna, Hainichen, Dresden, Eisenberg, Gera, Halle (Saale), Dortmund, Kassel, Bremen, Uchte, Belm, Nidderau, Cologne, Mannheim, Nuremberg, Plzen, Prehysov-Nyrany, and Lensice. The aim was to gather substantial evidence against the suspected human smuggling network.

During the searches, ten individuals were discovered to be residing in Germany illegally. The Federal Police in Dresden is managing these cases, and comprehensive support services have been offered to the affected individuals through victim support officers.

The law enforcement agencies also seized numerous mobile phones, data storage devices, documents, and travel papers. The analysis of these materials is expected to take considerable time and is crucial for furthering the investigation.

In addition, a 58-year-old German national, who was wanted under a warrant, along with a Russian citizen lacking a valid residence permit, were also found during the operation. Various prohibited items under weapons legislation were confiscated as well.

Approximately 700 personnel from the Federal Police and the Chemnitz Police Directorate participated in this extensive operation, underscoring the collaborative efforts between German and Czech law enforcement agencies, coordinated by EUROPOL and EUROJUST.