Huge raid on the A3: 17 kilos of drugs seized near Passau!

Huge raid on the A3: 17 kilos of drugs seized near Passau!

On June 20, 2025, around 3:30 p.m., a spectacular manhunt was carried out by the Passau border police station in the Hammerbach parking lot on the A3 in Lower Bavaria. A 48-year-old Italian was sitting in a conspicuous Mini Cooper with a Dutch registration, whose vehicle was suspected of harboring a smugglers' hideout. What finally came to light during the check amazed the investigators: a total of 17 kilograms of drugs, including around 10 kilograms of amphetamine, 4 kilograms of crystal and 3 kilograms of an unknown substance, were seized. The driver was temporarily arrested and taken to a correctional facility after an arrest warrant was issued against him on suspicion of illegal importation and trafficking in narcotics. Of course, the vehicle and several electronic devices were also confiscated. [idowa.de].

But what is behind these numbers and the growing drug scene? Drug-related crime remains high on the authorities' radar. According to Statista, there were around 347,000 police-recorded cases of drug offenses in Germany in 2023, an increase of 2 percent compared to 2022. Cannabis, which has been legal under certain conditions since April 1, 2024, accounted for over 208,000 of these cases.

Border controls as prevention

A look back at similar operations shows that the Passau border police regularly carry out cross-border vehicle checks. As early as February 2025, around 50 vehicles and more than 100 people were checked during such an operation. Several kilograms of drugs and a large amount of cash were seized. A total of eight criminal proceedings were initiated and several preliminary arrests were made polizei.bayern.de is documented.

In another case in May of this year, a 65-year-old driver was caught with 6 kilograms of amphetamine in a car with a Dutch registration. He was also allowed to go straight to the correctional facility because an arrest warrant had been issued for illegal importation. All of these incidents underline the ongoing pressure on drug-related crime in Germany and the police's determination to take action against it.

Social impact

Drug-related crime not only has an impact on safety, but also represents a major health problem. According to Statista, the number of drug-related deaths was around 2,230 in 2023, with many dying from long-term health damage caused by excessive consumption. Bremen reported the highest death rate with almost 5 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. A vicious circle that also puts a strain on the social structures in the affected regions.

Given all these circumstances, it is now up to the authorities to act preventively and counteract a further increase in drug-related crime. The current controls are an important step in the right direction.