Explosives, anti-tank mines, and rifles: Germany dismantles an international arms smuggling network
German police uncovered a massive stockpile of military weapons in the city of Remscheid in the west of the country, following coordinated raids targeting an organized criminal group operating internationally. The discovery included automatic rifles, explosives, and anti-tank mines, in one of the largest arms seizures in recent years.
According to reports from the public broadcasting agency WDR, these raids were part of an operation supported by Europol aimed at dismantling a cross-border arms trafficking network in Europe. Special police forces carried out simultaneous operations targeting several homes and businesses late Sunday evening, continuing into Monday morning, during which several suspects were arrested.
The German newspaper Bild reported that authorities found weapons inside a secret room in a car repair workshop. This development came after police tracked a suspicious vehicle from the Polish border to the city of Remscheid, where the driver, who turned out to be the owner of the workshop, was arrested.
The police also seized USB memory units, SIM cards, and mobile phones from the workshop, which are currently being analyzed for further evidence. These materials are expected to help reveal broader details about the arms trafficking network and its potential connections to criminal organizations operating outside Germany.
The authorities have not yet disclosed the number of weapons seized or the identities of those arrested, but they confirmed that investigations are still ongoing. The operation supported by Europol highlights the growing concern over the spread of illegal military weapons in Europe, raising new fears about organized crime and cross-border security risks.