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3 clusters · 15 sources · 15 days · First seen 24 days ago · Last updated 10 days ago

Organized crime and drug trafficking trials in Germany

Overview

Legal proceedings are progressing in Germany regarding major organized crime operations involving large-scale drug trafficking and violent theft.

In Düsseldorf, the District Court has sentenced six members of the ‘Rich Kids’ criminal organization to prison terms between five and twelve years. The group, which included individuals from wealthy Rhineland families, operated from 2022 until March 2025. Convicted of large-scale drug trafficking, the gang generated an estimated eleven million euros in revenue through the sale of approximately one ton of cocaine, four tons of marijuana, 20 liters of amphetamine oil, and various ecstasy and oxycodon tablets. The two primary leaders, Maximilian G. and Marvin G., received sentences of twelve years and eleven and a half years, respectively. While six defendants were sentenced, authorities suggest more than 40 people may have been involved in the organization.

Concurrently, the Cologne District Court has commenced the trial of seven suspects, aged 36 to 48, linked to a significant marijuana robbery in Hürth. The defendants face charges including particularly serious robbery, dangerous bodily harm, false imprisonment, and armed cannabis trafficking. The case involves a June 2024 incident where suspects allegedly used machine pistols to assault and bind warehouse guards to seize 350 kilograms of marijuana. This robbery is cited as the catalyst for a period of violent retaliation in the region, characterized by hostage-taking, torture, and explosive attacks, known as the ‘Cologne drug war’.

Entities

Maximilian G. · Cologne · Fabian Pollex · Kalk · Düsseldorf

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

Coverage disagrees

Sources make claims that cannot both be true. CLSTR reports the disagreement; it does not decide who is right.

"The Düsseldorf District Court sentenced members of the 'Rich Kids' drug gang to prison terms of up to twelve years."

vs

"The two main defendants were sentenced to twelve years and eleven and a half years in prison respectively."

The first claim states prison terms were up to twelve years, while the second claim states the main defendants received twelve and eleven and a half years, which is consistent, but the first claim's '

[DISPUTED] The Düsseldorf District Court sentenced members of the 'Rich Kids' drug gang to prison terms of up to twelve years.
[DISPUTED] The two main defendants were sentenced to twelve years and eleven and a half years in prison respectively.
[● 7 SOURCES] The gang sold nearly one ton of cocaine and four tons of marijuana by March 2025.
[● 7 SOURCES] The group was dubbed the 'Rich Kids' because several members come from wealthy families in the Rhineland.
[● 6 SOURCES] Sentences for the six defendants ranged between five and twelve years.
[● 6 SOURCES] The court ordered the seizure of millions of euros in criminal proceeds.
[● 6 SOURCES] The gang's earnings were estimated at eleven million euros.
[● 4 SOURCES] Seven suspects, aged 36 to 48, are facing trial at the Cologne District Court.
[● 4 SOURCES] The robbery involved approximately 350 kilograms of marijuana stolen from a warehouse in Hürth.
[● 4 SOURCES] The suspects used machine pistols during the robbery.
[● 4 SOURCES] The robbery is considered the trigger for a wave of violence known as the ‘Cologne drug war’.
[● 4 SOURCES] The robbery occurred in June 2024 at a warehouse in Hürth near Cologne.

Timeline

10 days ago

[CRIME] 9 sources
Düsseldorf Court sentences 'Rich Kids' drug gang to prison
The Düsseldorf District Court sentenced six members of the 'Rich Kids' drug gang to up to 12 years in prison for trafficking tons of cocaine and marijuana, generating an estimated 11 million euros.
22 days ago

[CRIME] 8 sources
Cologne District Court begins trial for major marijuana robbery
Seven suspects face trial in Cologne for a 2024 marijuana robbery in Hürth that triggered a violent wave of crime known as the ‘Cologne drug war’.
24 days ago

[CRIME] 2 sources
Düsseldorf prosecutors seek prison terms in ‘Rich Kids’ drug trial
German prosecutors have sought up to 13 years in prison for members of a drug trafficking ring known as the ‘Rich Kids’ trial, involving 11 million euros in illegal revenue.

Sources

bild.de · dattelner-morgenpost.de · deutschlandsuchtdensuperstar.de · dorstenerzeitung.de · faz.net · halternerzeitung.de · hellwegeranzeiger.de · muensterlandzeitung.de · n-tv.de · newsfeed.zeit.de · recklinghaeuser-zeitung.de · stimberg-zeitung.de · waltroper-zeitung.de · www1.wdr.de · wz.de

This summary has been updated 1 time: see revision history