Gold godfather and SEK drama: Hostage taking in Cologne-Rodenkirchen ended spectacularly!

Gold godfather and SEK drama: Hostage taking in Cologne-Rodenkirchen ended spectacularly!

What an exciting time in Cologne! On June 3, 2025, a day that will be unforgettable not only for those affected, but also for the police at the regional court. In a dramatic operation, a kidnapped couple from Bochum who were being tortured in a cellar in Rodenkirchen were freed. This rescue operation was carried out under considerable time pressure, as a police officer reported during the court hearing. The escape of an accomplice who called himself the “Golden Godfather” ultimately led to the investigation and arrest of many people involved in the violent machinations of a Cologne drug gang.

The excited man who appeared at the Essen police headquarters reported the hostage-taking and spoke of a so-called hit squad from Amsterdam that operated with submachine guns. During the interrogation, this man even received messages from a “Signal” group that showed videos of the hostages. While he was being interrogated, the task force (SEK) was organized, which ultimately led to the rescue of the hostages. However, it seems as if the “Gold Godfather” tried to downplay his role in the hostage-taking; the victims reported that he used a gold gun.

The background of the crime

The background to the kidnapping is just as frightening as the crime itself. A robbery of 350 kilograms of marijuana and a betrayal within the drug gang formed the fiery foundation that triggered this spiral of violence. Botan I., a main suspect, is now being tried for aiding and abetting because he is accused of handing over weapons to the kidnappers. The Cologne public prosecutor's office sees these events not only as a source of conflict in the region, but also as far-reaching conflicts within drug crime.

But it's not just in Rodenkirchen that tempers are heating up. It has become clear that the Dutch “Mocro Mafia” is only marginally involved in the conflicts currently taking place in Cologne. According to Tagesschau, the main cause of the violence is the internal quarrels within a Cologne drug gang that is responsible for the resale of drugs. The Cologne drug dealers store plenty of cannabis on a commission deal worth two million euros, although the gang itself has lost a lot of drugs due to internal disputes.

The current developments

A trial has just begun at the Cologne Regional Court in which three men are accused of stealing 700 kilograms of marijuana and taking hostages. Aymen G., a 22-year-old German-Algerian, is one of the main accused. He has to answer for, among other things, aggravated robbery and deprivation of liberty. The proceedings against the suspected Cologne gang members are becoming increasingly complex because they often come from precarious backgrounds and are hired as henchmen. Security precautions for the Cologne trials have been increased accordingly to ensure the safety of everyone involved as the crime situation in the region continues to worsen.

There are currently two further trials in connection with the so-called “Cologne Drug War”, which involve a total of around 40 defendants. The Cologne gang, which operates in these structures, shows a high level of brutality: torture and hostage-taking are used to discipline rebel members. Certainly a topic that will continue to concern the people of Cologne.

It remains questionable whether the arrests, like those of 23 accused in January 2025, will actually lead to a calming down of the situation or whether further explosions and acts of violence can be expected. But the Cologne drug war shows that something is going on here that is having a major impact on the city and its citizens.