The Greens in the Bundestag welcomed the federal government’s new action plan to tackle organized crime.
Because the damage caused by drug, weapons and human‑trafficking networks runs into the billions of euros, Marcel Emmerich, the Greens’ internal policy spokesperson, told “Handelsblatt” (Thursday edition) that these masterminds must be addressed so that their real‑estate holdings and corporate webs no longer serve as safe havens. “To effectively hit them, the money must be shut off through consistent financial investigations and asset seizure, striking at their lifeline” he said.
The cabinet approved the “Joint Action Plan” on Wednesday, which, among other measures, calls for improved data exchange between customs authorities and the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) and the introduction of artificial intelligence. Emmerich deemed the data‑sharing upgrade sensible but urged that it be coupled with safeguards to uphold the rule of law; he said that was only part of the solution.
He argued that Germany needs a robust national structure that consolidates the fight against financial crime, quickly identifies and seizes illicit assets, and operates consistently across states. “We require more personnel, joint investigative teams, and clear cross‑border responsibilities” Emmerich added. Such measures, he said, would prevent duplicate structures and create real impact rather than piecemeal actions.
