German police officer arrested in major crackdown on Italy’s ‘Ndrangheta mafia
Coordinated operation across German states leads to 36 arrests, including law enforcement official
BERLIN
A German police officer was among 36 individuals arrested in a sweeping joint operation targeting the powerful Italian organized crime group ‘Ndrangheta, authorities announced Tuesday.
According to a joint statement from the Waiblingen Prosecutor’s Office and the Baden-Württemberg police, the large-scale operation involved searches at 40 locations across several German states, including North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate, Saarland, and Baden-Württemberg.
A 46-year-old officer from the Aalen Police Department was among those detained. Officials confirmed an arrest warrant had been issued against him for allegedly disclosing confidential information.
The coordinated crackdown is the latest development in an ongoing investigation that has seen German and Italian law enforcement agencies work closely together since 2021 to combat the ‘Ndrangheta and related criminal networks.
Authorities believe those arrested have direct ties to the Calabria-based ‘Ndrangheta, regarded as one of the most powerful and dangerous mafia organizations in the world, with operations spanning Europe and beyond.
