Major operation against drug crime in Bremen

On Thursday, 25 June 2026, Bremen Police and several partner authorities conducted a large-scale control operation in the districts of Östliche Vorstadt, Mitte and Neustadt. From 2 p.m. to 10 p.m., the measures targeted publicly visible drug crime as well as violations in the commercial sector. The operation marks another step in the consistent approach by security authorities against offences and administrative violations at known hotspots in the Hanseatic city.

Operation at hotspots in three districts

The controls focused on areas in Bremen-Mitte, Östliche Vorstadt and Neustadt. These districts have for years been priority areas where drug trafficking and related crime are particularly visible. With the joint operation, the authorities sought to further improve the security situation at these locations and send a clear signal to offenders and business operators.

The eight-hour operation on Thursday was part of a series of coordinated measures regularly carried out at the same hotspots. According to the police report, cooperation among the participating agencies ran smoothly once again. The authorities emphasise that such controls have a lasting effect and that further operations are planned.

Participating authorities and objectives

In addition to Bremen Police, customs, the public order service, the economic affairs authority, trade inspection and the state treasury participated in the operation. This broad alliance made it possible to address both criminal aspects of drug crime and commercial law violations in a single deployment.

The aim was to consistently pursue offences, verify compliance with commercial regulations and sustainably improve the security situation at the hotspots. The close coordination between police, customs and municipal control authorities is considered a proven model in Bremen for combating drug crime in connection with related commercial and public order violations.

Results of the control measures

As part of the control operation, emergency services checked a total of 52 persons. They conducted 32 searches and filed eight criminal complaints. In addition, seven administrative offence proceedings related to commercial businesses were initiated. Several persons received exclusion orders temporarily barring them from the controlled areas.

Searches and criminal complaints

The 32 searches conducted formed the core of the police measures against drug crime. During the controls, officers seized mobile phones, cash and drugs. The press release did not specify quantities or types of drugs. The eight criminal complaints filed concern suspected cases that will be forwarded to the competent public prosecutor's offices following the controls.

The exclusion orders were issued against several persons who stood out in connection with the controls. Such measures serve to prevent recurring disturbances in public spaces and provide short-term relief in the affected areas. Whether and to what extent arrests were made is not stated in the report.

Controls in the commercial sector

Parallel to the police measures against drug crime, the participating authorities inspected numerous commercial businesses in the affected districts. The focus was not only on the drug-related aspects of individual premises, but also on general compliance with commercial and public order regulations.

The seven administrative offence proceedings initiated in the commercial sector show that the controls also had an impact beyond immediate drug enforcement. Business operators whose premises are used as meeting points for drug trafficking or where related offences occur are regularly in the authorities' sights during such priority operations.

Violations found in businesses

During the commercial inspections, emergency services identified various violations and penalised them. Among other things, required youth protection notices were missing in several businesses. Permits for outdoor seating or the serving of beverages were also partly absent or not up to date.

Further objections concerned expired fire extinguishers, missing price labels and insufficient notices regarding video surveillance. Such deficiencies are not only treated as administrative offences by the competent authorities, but can also indicate inadequate compliance and control in businesses associated with drug crime.

• 52 persons checked, 32 searches conducted
• Eight criminal complaints and seven administrative offence proceedings initiated
• Seizure of mobile phones, cash and drugs
• Commercial violations including youth protection and permit issues

Seizures and exclusion orders

The seized mobile phones and cash can serve as evidence in ongoing investigations. Even drug finds without specific quantity figures are considered relevant evidence by the authorities. The combination of police searches, customs controls and trade inspection checks provided a comprehensive overview of the situation at the hotspots.

The exclusion orders affected several persons and were imposed under public order law. They are an instrument to provide short-term relief at critical points while criminal investigations based on the filed complaints can continue in parallel.

Continued cooperation among authorities

Bremen Police considers the joint control operation a further success of coordinated priority measures. According to the operation leadership, close cooperation between police, customs, public order services and economic authorities underscores the sustainable approach against drug crime and related commercial violations. Further operations of this kind are announced.

Media inquiries should be directed to Nils Matthiesen of the Bremen Police press office at telephone number 0421 361-12114. Further information on Bremen Police is available at www.polizei.bremen.de and at www.polizei-beratung.de.