Germany leads Europe-wide raids on Hells Angels network

More than 1,000 police officers carried out raids across Germany, Belgium, Bulgaria and the Netherlands on September 30 as part of an investigation into an international money-laundering network allegedly linked to members of the Hells Angels biker gang.

Police in the western German city of Duisburg said several arrest warrants were expected to be executed during the operation. Authorities are also seeking to seize assets worth €48.6 million ($55.1 million), dpa reports.

More than 100 properties are being searched and 71 people are under investigation, police said.

The investigation targets an international money-laundering network and a criminal organisation, which dpa reported is understood to be the Hells Angels. Suspects include people allegedly responsible for operating the money-laundering network across Germany and Europe, as well as senior members of a biker gang.

They are suspected of offences including forming a criminal organisation, extortion, organised fraud and money laundering. The investigation also covers alleged weapons offences, assault and tax evasion.

Most of the searches were taking place in North Rhine-Westphalia, with six properties being searched in other German states. Authorities were also searching seven properties in Belgium, Bulgaria and the Netherlands.

A dpa reporter witnessed a major operation involving special forces at the address of an influential Hells Angels member in Duisburg on Wednesday morning.

The operation is being led by prosecutors in Duisburg, with North Rhine-Westphalia’s financial crime authority also involved.

According to Bild, the investigation has been ongoing for more than four years and was launched following a shooting in Duisburg in May 2022. More than 100 people were involved in a clash between bikers and members of a Turkish-Lebanese extended family at the time.

By Sabina Mammadli