Erfurt, Germany, March 1, (dpa/GNA) – Eight people were arrested following major raids in several German states, as officials targeted a neo-Nazi network, an official said on Monday.
The suspects are accused of organized drug trafficking and money laundering, according to a spokesperson for the public prosecutor’s office in the eastern city of Gera.
Police searched 27 properties in the states of Thuringia, Hesse and Saxony-Anhalt during Friday’s raids.
They seized drugs, weapons and about 120,000 euros (144,000 dollars) in cash. Experts are now examining the weapons to determine whether they are still operational.
The investigations targeted a neo-Nazi network called the Brotherhood of Thuringia, which includes the Turonen and Garde 20 groups.
The detentions are seen as important progress against the neo-Nazi scene in the state of Thuringia.
In the course of their investigations, officials will also assess whether suspects sought to form a criminal organization, according to the spokesman for the public prosecutor’s office in Gera.
GNA