April 28, 2026 — Police in Germany’s North Rhine-Westphalia carried out a wide-ranging operation on Tuesday targeting the Hells Angels after state authorities moved to ban a local chapter. Around 1,200 officers, including special units, were deployed across 28 cities — among them Leverkusen, Cologne, Dortmund, Duisburg and Hilden — in what officials described as one of the largest crackdowns on biker-related criminality in recent memory.
Searches at more than 50 locations began early in the morning and covered homes and business premises linked to members and associates. The action focuses on the Leverkusen chapter, which the state has outlawed following earlier bans on parts of the group. Prosecutors say investigators uncovered evidence suggesting the chapter functioned as a criminal organization, with initial findings pointing to a profit-driven involvement in narcotics.
North Rhine-Westphalia Interior Minister Herbert Reul said authorities seized up to €2.5 million in assets during the raids and arrested the Leverkusen chapter president. Reul added that numerous Harley-Davidson motorcycles were located in the president’s workshop and that weapons were also confiscated. Police and media figures cited by officials indicate the Hells Angels operate 29 chapters in the state with roughly 469 members, making them the largest motorcycle club organization in North Rhine-Westphalia.
Authorities said the raids are part of an ongoing campaign to dismantle organized criminal activity within biker clubs. Officials warned that those involved in such groups should expect law enforcement measures, stressing that authorities treat these networks as organized crime rather than harmless motorcycle enthusiasts.
Related Germany headlines (April 28, 2026):
– Germany’s domestic intelligence service (BfV) warned that a little-known pro-Iranian group, Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamiya (HAYI), has carried out arson attacks on Israeli and US-linked sites in Europe since March and may escalate to more violent tactics, possibly using explosives or firearms; experts suspect ties to Iran’s Revolutionary Guards.
– Mecklenburg-Vorpommern’s environment ministry approved a privately funded plan to move a stranded humpback whale nicknamed “Timmy” through a dredged channel to a barge, despite reservations from some wildlife experts.
– A new plant opened in Pforzheim to recycle and manufacture rare-earth magnets, with a target output of 750 metric tons annually by 2028 as Europe reduces dependence on Chinese supplies.
– A Bitkom survey found one-third of people in Germany use AI at least once a week, with ChatGPT the most-used platform.
– A far-right AfD event in Düsseldorf drew large counterprotests, forcing route changes and a heavy police presence.
– A Civey poll for the SPD’s Economic Forum found 78% of business leaders doubt the government’s reform program will significantly boost growth.
– Germany’s military said it will not currently enter contracts with US data firm Palantir, citing concerns about industry access to national databases.
– Authorities repatriated 25 Afghans with criminal records on a flight coordinated with Taliban officials, a move that remains controversial.
– A man clung to the side of an ICE train after stepping out for a cigarette; he was found shaken but unharmed and faces an investigation for endangering rail traffic.
– Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul traveled to New York to seek support for Germany’s bid for a non-permanent UN Security Council seat for 2027–2028; the vote is scheduled for June 3.
This roundup was compiled from reporting on developments across Germany on April 28, 2026.