
A profound transformation of organized crime is being observed in Germany. Gangs are increasingly operating internationally, using more brutal methods and digital communication.
The German Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) notes a growing threat from organized crime in Germany. In its annual report on organized crime for 2025, which was presented in Berlin, it is stated that 683 investigative procedures were registered last year, the highest level since 2021.
The number of suspects also increased by more than 13 percent, reaching the highest level in the last five years.
Of the 7,988 suspects identified last year, 2,722 were German citizens, 664 Turkish citizens, 402 Syrians, 281 Albanians and 258 people with Polish citizenship.
Deep transformation
The head of the BKA, Holger Munch, stressed that organized crime is undergoing a profound transformation: "Organized crime is changing its face. Criminal networks today operate much more digitally connected, internationally and with a clear division of roles." According to the report, 69 percent of investigative procedures had an international dimension.
The vast majority of organized crime investigations in 2025 were again drug-related. These were followed by economic-related crimes, tax and customs violations, human smuggling, property crimes, and money laundering.
More extreme violence and teenage recruitment
Criminal gangs in Germany are increasingly using extreme violence to intimidate their victims and impose their claims to power on rival groups. According to the report, in 31 of the investigative procedures the main focus was on violent crime.
As an example of the brutality with which many criminals operate today, the BKA cites a series of explosions and shootings in the Cologne region, which according to investigations are related to the theft of a drug shipment.
There has also been an increase in the number of cases in which violent acts are ordered as a “service” or are carried out by minors specifically recruited for this purpose. Among the perpetrators recruited to commit crimes, there have been children as young as 13. In many cases, the person ordering the crime and the person committing it never meet.