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Vietnamese recruited: 460,000 Euros in cash discovered with suspected traffickers
🇩🇪 Germany /Crime & Justice

Vietnamese recruited: 460,000 Euros in cash discovered with suspected traffickers

From Die Zeit · () German

Translated from German, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement Under investigation
  • Police and customs in Berlin seized approximately 460,000 euros in cash during raids on suspected human traffickers.
  • The suspects are accused of recruiting Vietnamese workers since at least 2022 to work in restaurant kitchens without proper permits or social security registration.
  • Luxury vehicles, watches, handbags, and digital data were also confiscated as potential evidence against the 13-member group.

Authorities in Berlin have uncovered a significant operation involving suspected human traffickers, seizing around 460,000 euros in cash during coordinated searches. The investigation targets a 13-member group accused of systematically recruiting Vietnamese nationals since 2022.

around 460,000 euros in cash were secured.

— joint press releasePolice and customs in Berlin have released initial findings after searches of suspected human traffickers.

These individuals were allegedly brought to Germany to work in the kitchens of restaurants owned by the perpetrators. Crucially, the workers reportedly lacked the necessary residence permits and were not registered for social security, indicating a clear exploitation scheme. The operation involved executing 39 search warrants across various restaurants and residences.

These could represent possible evidence.

— joint press releaseDocuments, digital data, and mobile phones were also secured.

Beyond the substantial cash seizure, law enforcement also confiscated luxury vehicles, high-end watches, designer handbags, and various digital devices. These items are considered potential evidence in the ongoing investigation into organized and commercial human smuggling. The suspects face charges related to illegal entry facilitation, withholding wages, and social security fraud.

The accused are said to have specifically recruited Vietnamese workers since at least 2022.

— joint press releaseThe suspects are accused of recruiting Vietnamese workers to work in the kitchens of the perpetrators' restaurants.

While no arrests were made during the Tuesday operation, which involved officers from the Berlin-Brandenburg main customs office, Berlin police, federal police, and public order offices, the investigation is ongoing. The confiscated materials are expected to provide further insights into the scope and methods of the alleged trafficking ring.

No one was arrested.

— prosecution spokespersonThe prosecution spokesperson stated that no arrests were made during the operation.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Die Zeit in German. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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