Four Syrian families have been at the centre of the work of "Taskforce Clan" in Germany's eastern state of Saxony, according to the head of the unit. While cases of so-called clan crime currently remain at a consistently high level, the threat has increased particularly in the Leipzig area, according to the Chief Detective Superintendent.
The State Office of Criminal Investigation (LKA) in Saxony warns of increasing activity by criminal family clans, mostly of Syrian origin. According to the authority, between 700-1,000 people in Saxony currently belong to Syrian clans, a spokesperson for the LKA told the news magazine Focus.
In total, 130 people are known to the police for criminal offences, according to the report.
"These include violent offences, drug trafficking, money laundering, tax offences, crimes related to people smuggling, document and traffic offences, illegal financial transactions as well as various forms of fraud," Raiko Märtins of the LKA told Focus.
Märtins heads the Organised Crime Division at the LKA and the "Taskforce Clan" based there.
