Drug war in Cologne: Explosion in front of a restaurant leads investigators on the trail

Drug war in Cologne: Explosion in front of a restaurant leads investigators on the trail

The situation in Cologne-Kalk is tense: After a brutal bomb attack on the Kurdish restaurant “Saman” two days ago, investigators are focusing on the background to this crime. According to that Cologne City Gazette The explosion is classified as intentional, and prosecutors have already considered several motives for the attack.

The restaurant is considered a hub for a Kalk drug gang that has been involved in a bloody drug war since June 2024. Investigators are investigating whether the attack is connected to the father of the imprisoned gang leader, who was apparently the target of the attack. This gang has been waging internal power struggles for some time, including taking hostages, torture and attempted murder, in order to assert itself in the drug world. Particularly explosive: The alleged gang leader, Sermet A., 23, is said to have gotten into trouble over an unpaid delivery worth 1.5 million euros to major Dutch dealers.

The connection to organized crime

But what is really behind this event? daily news reports on a widespread drug war in the region. While the Dutch “Mocro-Mafia” is only marginally involved, internal disputes within the Cologne group appear to be the main cause of the violence. A brutal SEK operation in July 2024 ended a hostage situation that impressively demonstrated the extent of the escalation.

According to the investigation, which includes a total of 35 suspects - including international actors - the hostage taking and explosions appear in the dark light of organized crime. Drug trafficking, especially cannabis, is one of the main focuses with 264 current investigations in Germany, according to data from Statista show.

Criminal networks in focus

In the Cologne area, Turkish and Serbian nationals in particular are heavily represented in the drug trade. Many of these perpetrators belong to isolated clans that organize themselves within families. The fact that the Cologne drug gang not only acts against drug thieves, but also against its own members, shows how profound and brutal these structures operate.

The investigators are continuing to work intensively on clarifying the background. It is important to take the different motives into account: The explosion could not only have been a warning to the father of the imprisoned boss, but could also be the result of unfinished business in the drug community.

While explosions and acts of violence in Cologne have repeatedly made headlines in the past, there now appears to be a serious upheaval. The pressure on the masterminds of the Cologne drug war is growing, and the arrests of the last few weeks could be the reason why things are currently quieter.