Federal Police seize drugs at border check in Goch
On Tuesday, July 7, 2026, the Federal Police conducted several checks in the North Rhine-Westphalian border area with the Netherlands as part of temporarily reinstated border controls. At crossings in Gronau and Goch as well as on federal highway 57 near Kleve, officers from the Kleve Federal Police Inspectorate inspected travelers for arrest warrants and other criminal offenses. The operations resulted in the execution of several warrants and a significant seizure of narcotics.
The temporary border controls are part of an expanded security concept at Germany's external borders. The Sankt Augustin Federal Police Directorate regularly documents the results, highlighting the intensity of border police work in the Kleve, Gronau and Goch region. On that Tuesday, the focus was on both processing outstanding arrest warrants and uncovering criminal offenses.
Arrest warrant during bicycle crossing in Gronau
On Tuesday morning, a 68-year-old Dutch national entered German territory by bicycle via the Enscheder Straße border crossing in Gronau from the Netherlands. During a routine check of his personal details in police databases, the Federal Police found that the Münster Public Prosecutor's Office was searching for the man with an arrest warrant. The background was a conviction for using symbols of unconstitutional and terrorist organizations.
The convicted man had the choice of paying a fine of 1,000 euros or serving a 25-day prison sentence. The Dutch national opted to pay and settled the required amount directly with the Federal Police. This allowed him to avoid the threatened custodial sentence. After the police measures were completed, he was permitted to continue his journey and left the checkpoint without further restrictions.
Fugitive apprehended on A57 near Kleve
On Tuesday afternoon, the Federal Police checked a 29-year-old Romanian on federal highway 57 at the Kleve junction. The man was driving a passenger car registered in Kleve and entering from the Netherlands. A wanted-person check of his personal details revealed that the Osnabrück Public Prosecutor's Office had issued an arrest warrant against him for theft.
In this case as well, the individual was able to avoid detention by paying a fine. He paid 360 euros to the Federal Police and thereby avoided a six-day prison sentence. After all police formalities were completed, the Romanian continued his journey. The incident shows how systematic border controls can lead to successful apprehensions even in seemingly routine traffic situations.
Drug seizure at Siebengewald border crossing in Goch
The most serious incident of the day occurred on Tuesday afternoon at the Siebengewald border crossing in Goch. There, the Federal Police checked two Dutch nationals aged 37 and 28 upon entry from the Netherlands. Inside the men's vehicle, officers discovered narcotics and immediately seized them.
Specifically, 163.59 grams of marijuana and 11.93 grams of cocaine were found. The quantities were precisely recorded and secured as evidence. The Federal Police initiated criminal proceedings against both travelers. The discovery raises questions about origin, purpose of possession and possible connections to the drug underworld that must now be clarified by the responsible authorities.
Alcohol check of the driver
In addition to the drug find, the 37-year-old driver was suspected of operating a passenger car under the influence of alcohol. Officers conducted a voluntary breath alcohol test, which showed a reading of 1.14 per mille. Based on this result, a doctor was called to the Kleve station to carry out the ordered blood draw.
The combination of drug possession and possible drunk driving significantly worsens the driver's legal situation. While both Dutch nationals were allowed to leave the station after the police measures were completed, the initiated proceedings are likely to have far-reaching consequences. The public prosecutor's office will decide on charges and sentencing.
Border controls as a tool for fighting crime
The temporarily reinstated border controls enable the Federal Police to conduct more intensive checks of persons and vehicles entering the country. Arrest warrants issued domestically can thus be executed at border crossings where travelers often do not expect police action. At the same time, the controls serve to uncover drug trafficking and possession.
The events of July 7, 2026 illustrate the range of possible finds: from outstanding warrants for theft and unconstitutional symbolism to concrete narcotics. For the Kleve Federal Police Inspectorate, such operations are part of the daily task spectrum at the German-Dutch border. Close cooperation with public prosecutor's offices in Münster, Osnabrück and other districts is crucial for the success of these measures.
The drug find in Goch in particular underscores that border crossings continue to be regarded as potential smuggling routes for narcotics. Even smaller quantities of cocaine and larger amounts of marijuana can point to regional distribution structures or personal use. In such cases, the Federal Police not only secures the substances but also documents vehicle data, travel routes and personal details for further investigations.
Inquiries to the Federal Police
Inquiries about the incidents should be directed to the Sankt Augustin Federal Police Directorate or the Kleve Federal Police Inspectorate. Press spokesman Uwe Esselborn is available for media inquiries at telephone number (02821) 7451-0 and by email at presse.kle@polizei.bund.de. Further information on the work of the Federal Police can be found on the official website www.bundespolizei.de.
