Let’s discover some facts about the German mafia.
Facts about the German mafia
The German Mafia (; Maffia; from Italian mafiusi, “clan”) is a criminal syndicate in Germany. It is one of the country’s oldest organized crime groups and is known for its strict secrecy and code of conduct.
Over the years, it has evolved into a sophisticated criminal organization that loots banks and distributes opioids, organizes prostitution rings, and works with other international crime outfits like the Italian Cosa Nostra.
The German Mafia operates in all major cities across the country. It also has cells in Scandinavia, Austria, Italy, France, Spain, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Poland, and even Israel.
As a result of its size and prevalence throughout Germany, law enforcement officials refer to it as “Germany’s largest secret society”.
Operation ‘Terrortrek’ was launched against members of the German Mafia in 1968 by Federal Commissioner Heinz Hundt from the Ministry of Justice.
The operation led to nationwide raids against suspected gangsters who were charged with violating firearms laws.
Despite these arrests and operations taken against it since then, the German Mafia continues to thrive today under various aliases such as National Socialist Underworld Black Corps (NSU-Kemetery), Nationalsozialistischer Unterweltbund (NSU-OASIS), Neue Soziale Bewegung or New Social Movement or s Kameradschaften or Commands.
Germany: The home of the mafia
As many as 5 million people, or roughly 4% of the population of Germany, are estimated to be involved in some form of organized crime.
While the Italian Mafia and the American Mafia are better known, the German Mafia is arguably the most successful mafias of all time.
The origins of the German Mafia date back to the late 19th century when the country was still under the rule of the monarchy. The German economy was booming at that time, and people were seen as the most sought-after commodity.
This led to the rise of many criminal factions hoping to capitalize on the lucrative opportunities.
One of the earliest gangs to establish itself in the country was the BAVARIAN MAFIA (BM), which stood for BAYERISCHE AUFSEHER V. A. M., or Bavarian Union of Police Inspectors.
Origins of the German mafia
BM was the first of its kind in the world. Not only did it deal with drugs and prostitution, it was also involved in politics and law enforcement.
It had close ties with the German military, especially the Bavarian Army, and had many members in high ranks. The BM was active in Germany until the outbreak of World War I.
The organization could stay afloat during the war because its members had the right connections in the army and the navy to obtain supplies and equipment during wartime.
When Germany lost the war and was later punished by the Versailles Treaty, BM faced an existential threat. At the time, the organization was the only one in the country that could make a profit from drug trafficking and human trafficking.
As such, the Germans were more than happy to see the BM destroyed by the new law enforcement. The organization was later run out of business by the 1920s; however, many believe the BM survived in various forms.
Criminal activities of the German mafia
Since its inception, the BM has grown to be a formidable opponent in the drug trade. The group was also involved in extortion, contract killings, arms smuggling, money laundering, prostitution, gambling, and other unlawful activities.
BM was also known to have close ties to Italian and Jewish gangs. The Italian gangs were believed to have provided the BM with drugs, while the Jews were used as human shields.
BM was also known to have close political connections with conservative politicians. The group maintained this influence even after the rise of the Nazis in Germany, likely due to its extensive use of blackmail.
Many believe the BM was also responsible for helping the Nazis get into power. This is because the Nazis were fascist groups who shared BM’s fascist ideologies.
Organization structure of the German mafia
BM expanded its power in the country and even out to other parts of Europe due to its highly organized structure. The BM used this structure to manage its many business interests, including drug trafficking, prostitution, and illegal immigration.
The BM also had an extensive network of informants paid off with illegal profits to keep law enforcement out of the way. BM’s structure is also believed to have followed a strict hierarchy.
At the top of the hierarchy was a ‘board of directors consisting of a German gangster and three non-Germans, usually a Jew and two Italians. The board of directors oversaw an ‘executive committee responsible for day-to-day operations.
The executive committee consisted of a ‘president’ and several other positions. The president was usually in charge of managing the board of directors’ interests and was often Jewish or Italian.
BM’s structure was designed to create a sense of belonging and cohesion among its members, especially since the BM comprises many ethnic and racial groups.
How does mafia money flow in Germany?
The BM was not the only criminal organization operating in Germany in the 20th century. The Second World War and the years that followed helped establish a well-developed criminal infrastructure.
This infrastructure was built up by multiple associated groups, including the National Socialist Underground (NSU), the National Socialist Underground-Combat Gang (NSU-Kampfhelfer), and the National Socialist Underground-Criminal Conspiracy (NSU-Zeloten).
Despite many years of arrests and persecution, many of these groups have survived and still operate today. The NSU, for example, murdered 10 people and injured another 11 between 2000 and 2011.
It has never been brought to justice. The NSU-Kampfhelfer is believed to have extorted millions of euros from businesses and directed most of the money into bank accounts.
The NSU-Zeloten is also believed to have laundered money and is known to have had ties to the Italian Mafia and the Russian Mafia.
Prosecution and convictions against the German mafia
Since the 1950s, the German government has been trying to end the BM, which it has described as “the most dangerous threat to the state”.
Law enforcement efforts were intensified after the terrorist attacks on 11 September 2001, as Germany was now seen as a potential target for a large-scale attack.
In the mid-2000s, the German government put together a special task force known as ‘Terrortrek’ to track down and prosecute BM members.
The operation led to nationwide raids against suspected gangsters who were charged with violating firearms laws.
Despite these arrests and operations taken against it since then, the German Mafia continues to thrive today under various aliases such as National Socialist Underworld Black Corps (NSU-Kemetery), Nationalsozialistischer Unterweltbund (NSU-OASIS), Neue Soziale Bewegung or New Social Movement or s Kameradschaften or Commands
Summary
The German Mafia is one of the oldest organized crime groups in the world.
It has many aliases, such as National Socialist Underworld Black Corps, Nationalsozialistischer Unterweltbund, New Social Movement, Neue Soziale Bewegung, or New Social Movement or New Order and Commands.
The German Mafia also has cells in Scandinavia, Austria, Italy, France, Spain, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Poland and even Israel. It also operates in all major cities across the country.
As many as 5 million people, or roughly 4% of the population of Germany, are estimated to be involved in some form of organized crime.
While the Italian and American Mafia are better known, the German Mafia is arguably the most successful mafia of all time.
