In Bavaria, investigators searched a property and a vehicle in Pottenstein during the afternoon hours of the raids.

On March 26, 2025, authorities launched coordinated raids across Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, and North Rhine-Westphalia, targeting a Georgian-dominated criminal gang.

The operations involved over 1,000 police officers and included searches of 18 properties, primarily residential and commercial spaces, as well as truck stops suspected of being used for storing stolen goods and laundering money.

Interior Minister Thomas Strobl reported that the raids were concentrated in Stuttgart, where a significant police presence was deployed.

In North Rhine-Westphalia, police operations involved heavily armed officers and police dogs, particularly at an export-import business in Burgsteinfurt.

During the raids, authorities arrested a suspected leader of the gang, identified as a 'thief in law,' a term denoting high-ranking figures within Russian-Eurasian organized crime.

The suspects are linked to the Russian-Eurasian organized crime (REOK) network, which has a history of over 120 years and is involved in serious offenses including burglary, smuggling, and money laundering.

Strobl classified the crimes associated with this group as a serious threat to society and the rule of law, highlighting issues ranging from property crimes and drug offenses to violence and homicide.

The government of Baden-Württemberg is prioritizing the fight against organized crime, committing to a sustained and vigorous response to combat these criminal activities.

The REOK is characterized as multicultural, encompassing various subcultures and a wide range of criminal activities, which underscores the complexity of the organized crime landscape.

The gang's activities are believed to include drugs, corruption, and violence, further complicating the law enforcement response.

Strobl emphasized the serious threat posed by organized crime to societal stability, asserting that combating such crime remains a top priority for the region.