An extensive security campaign against a network of neo-Nazis in three German states

The German authorities launched a massive security campaign against a network of neo-Nazis in three German states.

The Regional Criminal Police Office in Thuringia announced Friday morning that the search and raids campaign included the states of Thuringia, Saxony-Anhalt and Hesse on suspicion of drug trafficking and large-scale money laundering.

More than 500 policemen, including special forces, participated in the mission.

According to data from the Regional Criminal Police Office in Thuringia, 27 homes and offices in Thuringia alone have been searched since the early morning hours.

According to police data, eight suspects between the ages of 24 and 55 were arrested during the campaign.

Police explained that the aim of the campaign was to search for evidence, such as cars or high-value possessions, that could be linked to drug trafficking and money laundering.

According to the Central German Radio report, the suspects are members of two groups of the new Nazi Brotherhood, and have been suspected of involvement in crimes for years and their widespread organized drug trafficking in Thuringia, and the report also indicated that they are suspected of being involved in arms trafficking.

According to the data, the investigations against the neo-Nazi network began following a wiretap by the Regional Office for the Protection of the Constitution in Thuringia (internal intelligence). 

The two neo-Nazi fraternal groups are suspected of being organized in a similar fashion to criminal rock bands, and have strict hierarchies and specific symbols.

They were founded by the vanguard of various groups in 2015.