Dortmund: Police disrupt drug trafficking
In the week from 18 to 22 July 2026, Dortmund Police continued its Focus presence concept and stepped up visible patrols across the entire city area. Officers carried out numerous checks, searches and arrests. The priorities were disrupting narcotics trafficking, securing untaxed tobacco products, pursuing theft offences and strengthening residents' sense of security.
Saturday start in Heroldstraße and Gut-Heil-Straße
On Saturday, 18 July 2026, operations first concentrated on the Heroldstraße and Lauenburger Straße area. Two people tried to evade a check by fleeing but were stopped. Officers found narcotics in the form of cannabis on them. Criminal complaints were filed against both individuals.
A further deployment led officers to the Gut-Heil-Straße area. There, a 56-year-old Dortmund resident was noticed selling untaxed cigarettes. In a subsequent apartment search including the cellar, around 300 cartons of uncleared cigarettes and about 150 packages of uncleared shisha tobacco were seized. Investigators assessed that the conditions for pre-trial detention were not met.
Monday: city centre, Stadtgarten and Olpe
On Monday, 20 July 2026, the focus was on the inner-city areas around Westenhellweg and Stadtgarten. In addition to visible presence, officers conducted person checks. In the Stadtgarten green space, a 36-year-old man without a fixed address was arrested. An arrest warrant issued by the Dortmund public prosecutor's office was outstanding against him. He was taken into police custody.
At around 6:25 p.m., DB Security reported an aggressively begging woman who fled into the Stadtgarten stop. Questioning produced indications of a possible mobile phone theft. The woman was taken into police custody and later returned to a closed facility. The stolen mobile phone was returned to its rightful owner.
In Olpe street, police seized a prohibited one-handed folding knife during a person check. A corresponding report including the seized item was prepared. Officers also recommended a knife-carrying ban.
Tuesday: western city centre, Dietrich-Keuning-Park and Evinger Park
On Tuesday, 21 July 2026, checks continued, particularly in the western inner-city area and in Dietrich-Keuning-Park. Indications of a residence-law offence emerged and led to a criminal complaint.
In Stadtgarten, a physical altercation developed between four to five people. Overall, more than twenty people were involved; one person was sprayed with pepper spray. Police filed a criminal complaint against the suspect for dangerous bodily harm. Suspected stolen property was found on one participant, including a wanted driving licence and a stolen credit card. On another female person, police seized a small quantity of heroin. All those involved received a place ban.
The presence concept also had an effect in suburban areas. In Evinger Park, officers observed suspected narcotics dealing and stopped it through targeted intervention. More than twenty resealable bags of cannabis were seized. In addition, police took cash into custody for preventive asset recovery.
During a car check, a drug roadside test returned a positive result for THC. The female driver was taken to Eving police station for a blood sample.
Wednesday: Nordmarkt, Mallinckrodtstraße and Steiermarkstraße
On Wednesday, 22 July 2026, plain-clothes officers observed illegal narcotics trading at Nordmarkt. The dealer was checked; police seized cocaine.
At a café on Mallinckrodtstraße, a group of young people attracted attention. E-cigarettes were found and seized from a minor. On a young man, police seized a quantity of cannabis that was allegedly not small. The drugs were secured and a criminal complaint was filed.
At around 5:55 p.m., riot police officers encountered an e-scooter rider who was consuming drugs while riding. In this case too, a criminal complaint and a blood sample were arranged.
In the Spohrstraße area, officers found a blank-firing weapon during a check and seized it. Proceedings were initiated.
Almost at the same time, around 5:45 p.m., officers arrested a 24-year-old Dortmund resident after illegal narcotics trading in Steiermarkstraße. During the operation, including an apartment search, cocaine, marijuana and hashish as well as liquids were found. In the cellar compartment, police also secured 44 laughing-gas containers. The suspect was taken into Dortmund police custody for further clarification of the facts.
Purpose of the presence measures
The operations under the presence concept serve Dortmund Police in particular for hazard prevention, combating narcotics trafficking and securing evidence. The authority continues to ask the public for information that can help clarify and prevent offences.
- Checks and searches in several Dortmund districts
- Seizure of cannabis, heroin, cocaine, marijuana and hashish
- Arrests and criminal complaints for narcotics offences
- Additional finds of untaxed tobacco products and a blank-firing weapon
Dortmund Police emphasises that visible presence remains a central element of the local security strategy. By combining checks, targeted searches and following up on leads relating to drug dealing, the authority aims both to stop current offences and to act preventively. Residents who observe suspicious situations can contact local stations or the known emergency numbers.
