Organized crime continues to advance in Germany, with a rising prevalence of hard and synthetic drugs, according to two reports released by the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) on Friday. Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU) used the presentation to sharply criticize the partial legalization of cannabis, which he said “rather encourages drug consumption.”
Last year, 647 investigations were launched into organized crime, five more than in 2023 and the second-highest figure in the past decade. The total damages remained high at €2.64 billion, slightly below the €2.7 billion recorded in 2023. The BKA described organized crime, which often operates across state borders, as having a “consistently high threat potential.” Dobrindt called it “one of the greatest threats to our rule of law.”
While the BKA noted a decline in violent crimes, it recorded “a significant increase in the possession of firearms and military-grade weapons.” The agency also expressed concern about “the recruitment of sometimes inexperienced minors” for violent acts, though in Germany these are currently “isolated cases,” unlike in Scandinavia. BKA President Holger Münch explained that youths are often recruited via gaming platforms or social media to obscure links to organized crime.
“On the rise” is also “crime as a service,” where organized crime groups offer their activities as a service, particularly in money laundering. To counter organized crime, Dobrindt announced a “reversal of the burden of proof” for asset seizures: if the origin of assets is unclear, proof of legal acquisition will be required; otherwise, assets will be confiscated.
The majority of organized crime cases in 2024 involved drug-related offenses, totaling 259 investigations. Overall offenses decreased by one-third (34.2%) to 228,104, largely due to the partial legalization of cannabis. However, the BKA highlighted alarming trends: offenses involving drugs such as ecstasy, crystal meth, cocaine, and designer drugs (NPS) rose by double-digit percentages. Münch and Dobrindt noted that U.S. crackdowns on drug trafficking may be shifting trade routes toward Europe.
Drug rings are constantly adapting delivery methods, including using smaller ports, submarines, and chemical concealment in legal goods such as spices or juice, making detection difficult.
Dobrindt described a “massive drug problem” in Germany. He called last year’s decline “a statistical distortion” due to cannabis legalization, warning that “hard drugs are on the rise.” He labeled the partial legalization of cannabis “a truly harmful law for our society,” arguing that individuals previously treated as dealers for possessing 25 grams are now effectively unhindered.
According to BKA statistics, drug-related deaths fell by 4% to 2,137. However, Federal Government Drug Commissioner Hendrik Streeck (CDU) cautioned this is “probably only the tip of the iceberg,” noting that young people are consuming more than before. Cocaine use is “no longer a fringe phenomenon” but has entered “mainstream society,” and there are growing indications of a “looming opioid crisis.”
From breaking news to thought-provoking opinion pieces, our newsletter keeps you informed & engaged.
