Berlin Police Seize Over 800 kg of Illegal Fireworks in Large-Scale Raid

In a major police operation conducted in Berlin, authorities confiscated more than 800 kilograms of illegal fireworks along with 350 kilograms of materials intended for manufacturing dangerous explosives. The raid targeted several locations across the city, including neighborhoods like Charlottenburg, Wedding, Reinickendorf, and Pankow. This operation involved approximately 140 police officers from Berlin and Brandenburg, supported by a federal special unit and experts in bomb disposal.

The crackdown resulted from tips received from anonymous sources and public information, leading investigators to identify three suspects: two men from Berlin aged 24 and 25, and a 25-year-old man from Bernau, Brandenburg. They are under investigation for illegally storing, selling, and manufacturing pyrotechnic and explosive materials. One suspect was noted to have been active on social media platforms, particularly a Discord server dedicated to discussions about illegal fireworks and the trade of banned pyro devices.

Police uncovered highly dangerous firecrackers and rockets among the seized goods. The substances and components for explosives pose a high risk to public safety and increase concerns ahead of the New Year's Eve period, when illegal firework sales traditionally surge. The orders for smuggled fireworks often originate from abroad and are frequently distributed through online platforms.

Bomb disposal teams from Berlin and Brandenburg’s criminal police and the federal police were tasked with the safe handling and destruction of the hazardous materials. Authorities have noted a growing trend of illegal pyrotechnic seizures across Germany, with similar large confiscations recently reported in cities such as Hamburg.

The Berlin police operation underscores ongoing efforts to combat the illegal fireworks trade and mitigate potential dangers posed by unauthorized explosive materials, especially during culturally significant festivities like New Year's Eve celebrations.