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First verdict in the Cologne drug war: Four years in prison for Iraqis!
An Iraqi was sentenced to four years in prison in the Cologne drug war. The case highlights brutal methods and organized crime in Kalk.
First verdict in the Cologne drug war: Four years in prison for Iraqis!
A moving day for Cologne: The regional court made its first judgment in a groundbreaking case of the so-called “Cologne Drug War”. A 30-year-old Iraqi man has to spend four years behind bars for aiding and abetting the taking of hostages and violating weapons law. Not only two semi-automatic firearms were found in his apartment, but also a whopping 250,000 euros in cash that he had handed over to suspected accomplices in a hostage situation, reports FAZ.
The conflict, which has been shaking Cologne's underworld for about a year, began in June 2024 with violent kidnappings and attempted kidnappings. Among the suspects is Sermet A., a central figure who was captured at Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris in autumn 2024 and is awaiting arraignment in Bielefeld. The trial surrounding the brutal machinations surrounding the hostage-taking in Cologne-Rodenkirchen is scheduled to start in September.
Background to the Cologne drug war
The last few months have been marked by investigations against a network of 63 suspects - 38 of whom are already in custody. Over 80 investigators are currently working to clarify the background to this complex drug conflict. The Cologne public prosecutor's office has emphasized in the past that the Cologne drug gang holds the reins and coordinates drug deliveries from the Netherlands daily news reported. It turns out that the Dutch 'Mocro-Mafia' is only marginally involved in the disputes. Most of the accused come from Cologne.
A particularly explosive incident occurred on June 21, 2024, when a Kalker Gang drug depot in Hürth was raided. 350 kilograms of a total of 700 kilograms of marijuana disappeared, which further fueled internal tensions within the groups. The fact that 78 investigations into such criminal activities have now been registered shows how deeply rooted the drug problem is in the region.
Drug crime in Germany
The “Cologne Drug War” is part of a nationwide trend in rising drug crime figures. In 2023, around 347,000 cases were recorded in Germany, an increase of 2 percent compared to the previous year. 208,000 of these cases involved cannabis, which has been partially legal since April 2024. Despite this legalization, the number of drug crimes remains over 90 percent, with conflicts over drug deliveries and gang wars in particular increasing sharply in Cologne, according to statistics from Statista.
A worrying increase in drug-related deaths in Germany also underlines the negative consequences of drug use. There were approximately 2,230 drug-related deaths in 2023, indicating the long-term health risks of excessive drug use.
It remains to be seen how the situation in Cologne will develop, but the city undoubtedly faces the challenge of both calming the turbulent waters of drug crime and protecting the public. Exciting times for the Cologne police and the public prosecutor's office, who continue to work hand in hand to bring about an end to these escalations of violence.