Illegal shisha bar: sexual enhancers and hidden tobacco discovered!

Illegal shisha bar: sexual enhancers and hidden tobacco discovered!

Recently, customs have increasingly focused on illegal practices in shisha bars and drinking halls. An exciting inspection day took place on July 24, 2025 in Gelsenkirchen, where the authorities uncovered massive violations of tobacco and pharmaceutical laws. Loud Radio Emscher Lippe The officers even found pharmacy-only sexual enhancers in one bar.

The total of four shisha bars, which were checked by over 20 employees from Gelsenkirchen authorities, police and customs, were real treasure troves: untaxed tobacco products and unlicensed e-cigarettes were discovered, often cleverly hidden in folding living room tables. Two of the companies also did not have their own garbage cans and managed to simply dispose of their waste through their neighbors - a brazen approach that is now likely to have serious legal consequences.

Undeclared work and illegal employment under the radar

This control action fits into a larger trend that can also be observed in other cities. For example, on April 4, 2025, 150 kilograms of untaxed water pipe tobacco were seized during a similar check in Cologne. Here too, Cologne customs discovered evidence of illegally produced tobacco, which apparently has higher profit margins than drug trafficking. Metal residue, plastic and even mouse droppings have been found in illegal hookah tobacco, calling the quality of the product into question. Investigations have been launched against the bar operators and the confiscated goods will be destroyed once the proceedings are completed. Further information on this is available Zoll.de.

But that's not all. Around three weeks ago, the customs authorities in Erftstadt were able to thwart a large-scale smuggling operation in which over 1.2 tons of untaxed shisha tobacco were discovered in a van. This shows how popular illegal tobacco and the associated crime are.

Protection against clan crime

Loud Press portal The necessary intensification of controls is also being driven by clan crime in certain sectors. In particular, in cafés, bars, shisha bars and similar establishments, increased efforts are being called for against undeclared work and illegal employment models. In an operation last year, several shisha bars were checked in Berlin, where violations were also found and criminal and regulatory measures were taken. Here too, untaxed water pipe tobacco was seized, which illustrates the urgency of such operations.

The authorities are not taking an all-round approach and are making it clear that they will take decisive action against violations in the industry. The regularity of such controls is a strong sign that the city of Cologne and surrounding regions are willing to bring these undesirable businesses under control and protect public safety.

Overall, it remains to be seen how the further procedures will go and whether the operators concerned will have to live up to their responsibilities. One thing is certain: the efforts against illegal and unethical practices continue!