German police uncover international drugs trafficking operation

BERLIN, April 27 (Xinhua) -- A criminal organization based in North Rhine-Westphalia smuggled cocaine and opium to international customers in markets as far as the U.S., Japan and Australia, the German state's regional bureau of investigation told reporters on Friday.

Following a global investigatory effort, regional police officers recently seized 71 kilograms of so-called hard drugs and 400,000 euros (483,000 U.S. dollars) in cash during a large-scale raid in several cities in North Rhine-Westphalia.

State investigators were treating 40 individuals as suspects in the case, with eight currently being held in police custody.

The criminal syndicate is believed to have been led by a core group of Germans with Iranian roots. Gang mainly targeted impoverished or indebted individuals in North Rhine-Westphalia as potential drug mules, offering them short holiday breaks which would be free of charge.

In at least one case, the smugglers hid 50 kilograms of cocaine in an industrial oven which was successfully shipped to Australia before being seized by local authorities. Additionally, regular postal packages were used as a means to deliver illicit drugs by the group. Enditem