Investigators search apartments in three federal states since early morning

Operation in three federal states

In addition to the police, representatives of the Frankfurt am Main tax office were also involved, according to the available information. Their specific tasks were not explained. The investigations also include asset freezes, for which no precise details on the amounts or number were available.

The number of defendants and possible arrests is not fully substantiated in the available facts. However, a formulation from one source indicates that investigators were able to exclude the majority of those involved from the proceedings. A specific legal basis for prosecution, or procedural allegation, was also cited in relation to the next steps.

“The remaining 43 defendants are accused of participation in various criminal offenses.” This formulation was used on Tuesday to specify the number of individuals who remain defendants. The authorities did not state in the available information which specific criminal offenses are alleged against the individual persons.

43 defendants remain

According to the authorities’ account, the investigations are directed against a criminal organization. In this context, the term “Crime as a Service” refers to the provision of criminal services by an organized structure. The available facts do not specify individual criminal acts, crime scenes, or the precise business structures.

The raid is part of an extensive police operation. Around 1,000 officers were deployed in three federal states, according to the information. According to investigators, they responded early and in a coordinated manner to secure evidence and bring those connected with the organization to justice.

According to investigators, the further proceedings are being prepared on the basis of a legal basis for prosecution. How many cases will result from this and what measures will follow next remain unclear. The role of the Frankfurt am Main tax office and the amount of assets secured through asset freezes also remain unresolved.

Further procedure unclear

The authorities linked the operation to the pursuit of the criminal organization. In the three sources on which the available information is based, it is described as a raid with a nationwide focus in three federal states. Further details about those involved were not published.

The published information does not yet provide a complete picture of the scope of the proceedings. At the center are the searches, the coordinated deployment of around 1,000 personnel, the involvement of several authorities, and the 43 defendants who remain. A final assessment of the investigations remains for the judiciary to make.