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Bremen (dpa) - The police arrested four people in a large-scale operation for drug trafficking, bribery and money laundering in Bremen and the Bremen area.

The investigations were directed against twelve accused, including two police officers, announced the public prosecutor, police and Federal Criminal Police Office together.

A total of 23 apartments and business premises were searched.

Arrest warrants had been issued against the four arrested persons, aged between 29 and 40, on suspicion of gang drug trafficking.

Some of the accused are also suspected of money laundering through real estate deals.

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The suspected police officers are a 36-year-old and a 40-year-old who will be suspended or released from duty.

The 36-year-old is accused of bribery, violation of official secrets, money laundering and fraud.

The magazine «Der Spiegel» wrote that the police officer should have «divulged sensitive information to dubious acquaintances» and received favors in return, such as leasing a car.

The 40-year-old is being investigated on suspicion of violating official secrets.

Investigators found firearms with ammunition, cash and cell phones during the raid.

In addition, access to around 500,000 euros from the sale of cannabis and cocaine is to be withdrawn from five suspects.

According to the investigators, the raid goes back to an investigation team that was set up in mid-2019.

In this context, weapons, money and drugs were seized as early as February 2021.

According to the "Spiegel" report, the investigation complex of the Bremen public prosecutor's office is codenamed "Zirkel".

The investigation was based on a page-long letter from an anonymous whistleblower who named names, criminal offenses and suspected criminal networks.

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Part of the investigation also deals with clan crime, the report said.

The alleged head of the drug gang, a 41-year-old, had meanwhile been targeted by the police for a long time.

The help of the French gendarmerie, who cracked the suspects' encrypted cell phones, has now helped.

© dpa-infocom, dpa: 210318-99-874215 / 2

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"Spiegel" report