The arrests were made in Poland, Germany, the Czech Republic and Spain as part of a joint operation that began in the second half of January, said Krzysztof Wrześniowski, spokesman for Poland’s Central Bureau of Police Investigation (CBŚP).
Those detained include Polish and German nationals, among them members of one of the world’s most recognisable motorcycle gangs and representatives of Turkish clans, authorities said.
Five suspects were arrested in Poland. A court ordered four of them held in pre-trial detention, while one was released under police supervision and other preventive measures.
Investigators said the criminal network operated from 2014 to 2022 and was involved in firearms and ammunition trafficking, distributing counterfeit currency, and smuggling and dealing drugs.
Gang members are also suspected of stealing luxury vehicles, profiting from prostitution and illegally transporting toxic waste into Poland.
During searches conducted in Poland and Germany, officers seized firearms, ammunition, drugs and counterfeit cigarettes.
Authorities also found forged identification cards and AA of Polish service uniforms, as well as official Polish and German seals allegedly used to falsify documents.
In one specially constructed hiding place, officers discovered EUR 200,000 in cash, Polish state news agency PAP reported.
If convicted, the suspects face up to 15 years in prison.
The operation involved Poland’s National Public Prosecutor’s Office and prosecutors in Düsseldorf, with support from the European Union's Eurojust agency.
Germany’s Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) and Polish Border Guard officers also took part in the raids.
(gs)
Source: TVP Info, PAP, IAR, cbsp.policja.pl