German and Dutch authorities, supported by Europol and Polish law enforcement, have dismantled an international organised crime group suspected of operating multiple laboratories producing amphetamine.
The coordinated operation took place in the early hours of 15 July 2026, with authorities searching 10 locations in Germany and three in the Netherlands. Several suspects were arrested during the raids.
Nine Suspects Targeted in Investigation
The investigation, led by the Krefeld Public Prosecutor’s Office and Mönchengladbach Police, currently targets nine German and Dutch nationals.
Authorities suspect the group of procuring precursor chemicals in quantities of several tonnes for the illegal production of amphetamine. Investigators believe the suspects had been operating multiple production laboratories since 2025.
Police searched the suspects’ residences as well as suspected production facilities. Two warehouses in Kaldenkirchen and Niederkrüchten, Germany, were among the locations searched.
Numerous items of evidence were seized during the operation and are now undergoing forensic examination.
Europol Provides Specialist Support
Europol supported the investigation with analytical assistance and hosted several operational meetings involving the participating authorities.
On the day of the raids, two Europol specialists experienced in dismantling drug laboratories were deployed to support authorities on the ground.
The specialists provided technical assistance, chemical detection capabilities and operational support during the searches. Europol said its drug-laboratory teams are equipped with advanced detection technology and expertise in chemical identification and laboratory safety.
Local fire and rescue services, along with specialists from the Forensic Science Institute of the North Rhine-Westphalia Criminal Police Office, also supported the operation.
Germany, Netherlands and Poland Cooperate
The cross-border investigation involved law enforcement and judicial authorities from Germany, the Netherlands and Poland.
German agencies participating in the operation included Mönchengladbach Police, North Rhine-Westphalia Police, the State Criminal Police Office of North Rhine-Westphalia, the Joint Customs/Police Precursor Monitoring Unit and the Krefeld Public Prosecutor’s Office.
The Dutch Police and Poland’s Central Bureau of Investigation of the Police (CBŚP) also contributed to the investigation.
The operation highlights the growing importance of international cooperation in tackling organised drug-production networks operating across European borders.
Authorities continue to examine the seized evidence as the investigation into the suspects and the alleged amphetamine production network progresses.
