Germany seizes 3.2 tonnes of cannabis in EncroChat crackdown
German police announced on 6 July 2021 that an EncroChat-based investigation running since April 2020 had led to more than 750 arrests and the seizure of 3.2 tonnes of cannabis alongside cocaine, synthetics and ecstasy tablets. Frankfurt prosecutors and the Federal Criminal Police Office said the probe was still ongoing.
German security officials announced on 6 July 2021 that they had made more
than 750 arrests and seized large quantities of drugs after gaining access
to the encrypted chats of EncroChat mobile phones.[1][2]The investigation
had started in April 2020 and focused on users of the EncroChat service
involved in the illegal drug trade, according to Frankfurt prosecutors and
the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA).[1][2]
Investigators seized 3.2 metric tonnes of cannabis, alongside about 320 kg
of synthetic drugs, more than 125,500 ecstasy pills, almost 400 kg of
cocaine and 10 kg of heroin.[1][2]They also confiscated 310 weapons, more
than 12,200 rounds of ammunition and assets worth 168 million euros.[1][2]
The EncroChat data came from a French investigation in which French and
Dutch authorities set up a joint team that decrypted the network’s
communications.[1][2]Frankfurt prosecutor Julia Bussweiler said the
investigation was far from over, with many suspects in pre-trial detention
while the seized data was checked for indictments.[1][2]
Case data
Every number and detail the sources state, with the sources that state it.
ScienceAQscienceaq.comGermany's Largest Drug Raid: 750+ Arrests Result from Encrypted Chat Data Decryption
Open questions the AI reported
The 750 arrests and 3.2-tonne seizure are cumulative investigation totals announced on 6 July 2021, not a single day of raids.
About 320 kg of synthetic drugs, more than 125,500 ecstasy pills, almost 400 kg of cocaine and 10 kg of heroin seized in the same investigation are not cannabis figures and are recorded only in the text.
Whether the arrests led to charges, trials or convictions was not reported, and prosecutors said the investigation was still ongoing.
Duisburg police stopped two men, 38 and 59, selling cocaine and cannabis from a parked Mercedes in Mittelmeiderich on 9 November 2026 after a witness tip. Officers seized drugs, phones and cash, searched both homes and opened trafficking proceedings; no drug weights were published.
On the A6 near Bad Rappenau, customs officers found just under three grams of marijuana and several banned weapons in a car with Czech plates and opened a criminal case against its 29-year-old driver. He was handed to the Weinsberg traffic police after a rapid drug test indicated he may have been driving under the influence.
Border police on the A 3 motorway near Passau found a small amount of marijuana on a 23-year-old Romanian passenger during a check of a car travelling from the Netherlands to Romania. Officers seized the cannabis and opened an investigation against the woman because taking cannabis into and out of Germany remains punishable, then let both travellers continue.
Police, customs, public-order and foreigners-authority officers checking takeaways, restaurants and bars in Gütersloh on 7 November 2026 seized all the CBD products found for sale and stored in a city-centre kiosk. No quantity was given, and the other findings in the checks concerned vermin, undeclared staff and licensing breaches.
