Young perpetrators in Cologne: drug crime reaches alarming new heights

In recent years, a worrying trend in organized drug crime has been observed: the perpetrators are getting younger and younger. Experts such as Oliver Huth, NRW state chairman of the Federation of German Criminal Office (BDK), report that the age group of suspects are often between 20 and 25 years old. This applies in particular to the suspects of a recent explosion series in Cologne, which is associated with an argument among drug gangs.

The Cologne public prosecutor suspects that the deeds are about the disappearance of around 300 kilograms of cannabis. Oliver Huth notes that this phenomenon can be observed not only in Cologne, but throughout Europe. However, the young and brutal spectrum of perpetrators, which is shown in Cologne, is particularly striking. These perpetrators strive to quickly enter the market and rise within the hierarchies, taking considerable risks.

strategies against youth crime

Huth therefore calls for an adaptation of the control strategy against these developments. He points out that false role models play a negative role in youth crime on the Internet. In order to prevent further escalation, he suggests watching youth gangs early with hidden investigative methods.

Organized crime is a serious problem that goes beyond drug trafficking and also includes money laundering, human trafficking and gun smuggling. The Federal Ministry of the Interior (BMI) carries out measures to combat drug trafficking at European and international level. Organized crime is defined as the scheduled inspection of crimes by more than two participants.

• Typical fields of organized crime are drug trade, business offenses and property crime.
• The BMI, the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) and the Federal Police work together nationally and internationally to combat these crimes.
• The annual creation of the federal position "organized crime" provides information about the extent, risk potential and trends in Germany.

In order to act against the transnational organized crime, international cooperation is crucial. Germany works closely with Europol and Interpol to combat drug crime. In addition, the federal police have taken over the overall responsibility for the European platform against Schlurlung crime (Empact) in order to improve the international cooperation between the law enforcement authorities.