Large drug laboratory in Aachen: Almost 200 kg MDMA secured

Large drug laboratory in Aachen: Almost 200 kg MDMA secured

Aachen/Essen/Hückelhoven/Nettetal/Schwalmtal/Netherlands/Belgium (ots)

important breakthroughs in drug fighting

Drug fighting in Germany has been given a new thrust in the creation of one of the largest MDMA laboratories in 23 years. On May 11, 2024, the officials of the Zoll investigator Essen discovered a highly professional drug laboratory in Hückelhoven, which is a significant development in the fight against the synthetic drug markets.

extensive seizures and arrests

The searches in Hückelhoven and Nettetal led to ensure almost 200 kilograms of MDMA and approx. 4,700 liters of chemicals that are required to produce this drug. More than 130,000 euros in cash were also found. This amount would have been enough for the production of around 1.34 million ECSTASY tablets, which corresponds to a street sales value of over 10.4 million euros. A 57-year-old German was arrested on site, while a 59-year-old was arrested in Schwalmtal.

international dimension of the Fall

However, the investigation is not limited to Germany. On July 17, 2024, the Dutch and Belgian authorities carried out several searches as part of a European investigative order and arrested a 56-year-old Dutch suspect. This shows the international dimension of the drug trade network, which operates across borders.

an organized group of perpetrators in focus

The public prosecutor's office in Aachen and the customs investigation office have set up to examine the activities of a German-Dutch group of perpetrators. This group is suspected of producing MDMA on a large scale and acting with appropriate raw materials. The previous investigations began at the beginning of 2024 when a strikingly large delivery of chemical precursors were checked by the customs officials.

plans for the future and further investigations

The procedures continue and the investigators assume that the production capacities were considerable. Chief Prosecutor Schlenkermann Pitt emphasized the importance of this uncoveration: "This is the largest MDMA laboratory that has been ensured in Germany for 23 years." Heike Sennewald, press spokeswoman for the Essen customs investigation office, pointed out that the investigators are based on MDMA produced.

The effects on the community

The uncovering of such a large drug laboratory has not only legal but also social effects. The fact that such a comprehensive system has existed in our immediate vicinity raises questions about the security and the influence of drugs on the community. It is further proof that drug trafficking is a serious problem with which society must be actively confronted. Taxpayers and citizens have an interest in the fact that such criminal elements are determined to ensure the health and security of everyone.

Through the entire measures and the introductions of the authorities, it becomes clear that the topic of drug production in Germany receives the highest priority. The joint efforts of customs, public prosecutor and international partners are crucial to stop the growing drug problem and to regain the trust of the population in the safety of their living conditions.

- Nag