A large-scale operation targeting an alleged money laundering network commenced early Wednesday morning in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. According to reporting by the “Rheinische Post,” the effort, which is overseen by the Düsseldorf Police Headquarters, is centered primarily in the Ruhr area, with approximately 150 properties slated for searches.
The operation’s reach extends beyond NRW, involving four other federal states and countries in Europe, including the Netherlands. Around 1,000 personnel are involved in the action, which is being led by the Public Prosecutor’s Office in Duisburg along with the State Office for Combatting Financial Crime in NRW. The investigation focuses on members of a criminal organization and alleged key organizers of a money laundering network that operates both nationally and across Europe. The “Rheinische Post” indicated that the group involves elements connected to the Hells Angels motorcycle gang.
As part of this extensive operation, numerous arrest warrants, search orders, and asset seizures are scheduled to be executed. This action follows a previous large-scale police raid carried out across Europe on Tuesday morning. That earlier operation targeted a suspected fraud ring that reportedly sold millions of counterfeit or manipulated smartphones as brand-new items starting in 2017, generating estimated revenue of at least 300 million euros.
