Germany's Interior Minister, Alexander Dobrindt, reported a significant increase in cocaine trafficking and drug-related deaths in the country. According to a new police report, Germany is experiencing a storm of cocaine, and the number of drug-related deaths has reached a new record. Dobrindt said, "We are witnessing the exploitation of children as criminals."
Worrying Statistics
Dobrindt, alongside Holger Münch, head of the Federal Criminal Police, and Henrik Strick, Commissioner for Drugs and Addiction of the German government, presented findings described as a warning. Last year, 10 tons of cocaine were discovered in Germany, two-thirds of which was in German ports. Additionally, 2,150 people lost their lives due to drug use, which is 13 more than in 2024.
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Serious Challenges for Society
Münch stated that the profits from drug trafficking by international organized networks are often invested in real estate to conceal their source. In 2025, 195 cases of money laundering worth approximately €1.4 billion were investigated. He also pointed to the threats posed by cocaine to society, the economy, and the government.
Strick emphasized that 83% of drug-related deaths involved men with an average age of 41. He said, "These individuals are customers in a market that operates with deadly substances and is accompanied by violence, environmental destruction, and exploitation." Strick also stressed the need for zero tolerance towards those who profit from addiction and indifference towards the victims.
He added that in some countries, rainforests are being destroyed to produce cocaine, and the toxic substances used to process these materials seep into the soil and water. Strick expressed regret over the increasing popularity of cocaine in Germany, stating, "Every gram of cocaine consumed for pleasure has blood on it."
Changes in the Drug Market
Strick also pointed out significant changes in the drug market in recent years, stating that the market has changed digitally. "Dealers are no longer on street corners; they are on the phone. For example, people can order 'cocaine taxis' using a QR code."
Münch added that criminal groups are increasingly using social networks and gaming platforms to attract teenagers. He said, "Organized criminals are looking to recruit in places where young people spend their time." This development poses a major challenge for German and international law enforcement agencies.
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