The German police presented its annual report on organized crime, highlighting cocaine as a significant threat to the state and society. German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt stated that the country is experiencing a record number of drug-related deaths and an increase in money laundering cases.
"We are experiencing a flood of cocaine in Germany," Dobrindt said during the report's presentation. He noted that 10 tons of cocaine were seized last year, with two-thirds of that amount found in German ports. Drug-related deaths rose to 2,150, an increase of 13 from the previous year.
Holger Münch, president of the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA), indicated that profits from drugs are often laundered through real estate investments, with 195 cases of money laundering investigated in 2025, amounting to nearly €1.4 billion (approximately $1.6 billion).
Münch emphasized that organized crime networks use their financial power to influence and bribe, posing threats to the economy and society. Hendrik Streeck, the government's drug and addiction commissioner, pointed out that 83% of drug-related deaths involved men, with an average age of 41.
Streeck called for zero tolerance towards those profiting from addiction and emphasized the need for public awareness campaigns about the health and environmental impacts of drug production. He noted that cocaine production contributes to environmental destruction, including rainforest clearing and soil contamination.
The report also highlighted a shift in the drug market, with dealers increasingly using digital platforms for transactions. Streeck warned that organized criminals are recruiting minors through social media and gaming platforms, complicating law enforcement efforts.
Münch stated that the traditional image of organized crime is changing, with the dark web allowing for the purchase of criminal services. He expressed concern about potential involvement of state actors in organized crime, contributing to social destabilization.
In 2025, there were approximately 600 investigations into organized crime, consistent with averages from previous years. The police reported a significant success in shutting down the Archetyp Market, an online drug marketplace on the dark web, which had facilitated the sale of various drugs worth around €250 million. The platform had 3,200 registered sellers and 612,000 customer accounts before its closure in June 2025.