German authorities announced on October 5, 2024, that a significant suspect linked to a series of explosions in Cologne has been arrested in Paris. The 22-year-old suspect was apprehended at Roissy Airport on Tuesday.
The public prosecutor's office in Cologne has initiated extradition proceedings and is coordinating closely with French judicial authorities. Investigators regard the suspect as a 'key figure' in a suspected drug deal that has been implicated in the recent violent incidents in Cologne and surrounding areas.
The violence is believed to have been sparked by the theft of a large quantity of cannabis from a warehouse in Hürth, prompting a group to seek either the return of the drugs or compensation. Currently, more than ten individuals are already in custody related to these crimes.
This arrest could have broader implications for ongoing drug-related violence in Europe, highlighting the interconnected nature of organized crime across borders.