# Organized crime crackdowns in Poland

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/organized-crime-crackdowns-in-poland
> Updated: 2026-09-23T10:30:33.000Z. Sources: 35. Developments: 4.

Polish law enforcement agencies continue to conduct operations targeting organized crime, economic fraud, and drug trafficking. Recent investigations have reinforced previous actions against precious metal smuggling, confirming that a group bypassed taxes on approximately 1.7 tons of goods, resulting in a 45 million PLN loss. Other recent seizures include nearly 85,000 illegal cigarettes and significant quantities of tobacco. Drug enforcement has seen significant developments. The District Prosecutor's Office in Ciechanów indicted eight individuals for operating a criminal group between late 2023 and early 2025, involved in the production and distribution of cocaine, methadone, amphetamine, ecstasy, ketamine, and marijuana. This operation included over 90 searches and the seizure of assets exceeding 0.5 million PLN. Additionally, the District Court in Poznań sentenced more than 30 people to prison terms of up to eight years for a massive smuggling operation active between 2014 and 2021. Law enforcement has also addressed various forms of theft and fraud. Recent operations in Gdańsk and Gdynia dismantled an organized crime group specializing in ‘legend-based’ scams, leading to five arrests and the recovery of at least 600,000 PLN. Financial fraud targeting seniors remains a persistent issue; authorities arrested a man in Nowa Huta for coordinating ‘grandchild’ and ‘emergency’ tactics, while a 31-year-old Ukrainian national was detained in Poznań following bank-impersonation scams totaling 180,000 PLN. In the Działdowo district, phone spoofing scams have caused losses reaching up to 300,000 PLN per victim. Other recent activities include preventing the theft of electric vehicle charging cables in Wejherowo and seizing illegal gambling machines in Gdańsk. Cross-border criminal activity has also been a focus. In a joint operation involving 120 Polish and 60 Saxon officers, nine members of a Polish car theft gang were arrested.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-23: Polish car theft gang dismantled after major German-Polish police operation

Nine members of a Polish gang were arrested for stealing luxury vehicles across 53 German cities, causing over three million euros in damages.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/polish-car-theft-gang-dismantled-after-major-german-polish-police-operation

### 2026-09-18: Poland cracks down on major organized drug trafficking groups

Polish courts and prosecutors have dismantled major organized crime groups involved in large-scale drug production and smuggling, resulting in numerous prison sentences and significant asset seizures.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/poland-cracks-down-on-major-organized-drug-trafficking-groups

### 2026-09-16: Poland police conduct major operations against organized crime and fraud

Polish police have conducted widespread operations against organized crime, seizing narcotics, illegal tobacco, and precious metals, while also tackling high-value jewelry theft and fraud.

28 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/polish-authorities-dismantle-precious-metals-smuggling-ring

### 2026-09-13: Police dismantle human trafficking and prostitution ring in Poland

Lublin police dismantled an organized crime group in Kujawsko-Pomorskie that profited 5.5 million PLN from human trafficking and prostitution over 15 years.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/police-dismantle-human-trafficking-and-prostitution-ring-in-poland

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Cite as: Organized crime crackdowns in Poland. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/organized-crime-crackdowns-in-poland