Like in the Movies: Mercenaries Preparing to Kidnap an Albanian Mafioso Arrested in Latvia 0 6

In an international operation led by the German police and involving the Latvian State Police, Denmark, France, and Europol, four Latvian citizens were detained on suspicion of organizing a kidnapping in Germany. The operation targeted a group of mercenaries hired by a rival criminal syndicate to abduct the leader of an Albanian drug trafficking network. The intended victim, according to police, was linked to the theft of several tons of marijuana worth millions of euros.

After receiving preliminary information about the planned crime, the Latvian police, together with organized crime and international coordination units, identified the suspected organizers and accomplices—all of whom are Latvian citizens.

During the investigation, evidence of their involvement was obtained, and a 34-year-old man who took on the organization of the kidnapping was detained in Riga. The other members of the group were arrested in France, Denmark, and the United Kingdom. All suspects had special military training and the necessary equipment. The organizer of the crime had previously served in the French Foreign Legion.

According to information on Europol's website, the operation targeted a group of Latvians, some of whom are former legionnaires of the Foreign Legion. These highly skilled individuals had professional gear and acted on behalf of a criminal syndicate.

The operation revealed a troubling trend: an increasing number of former special forces soldiers, after returning from combat zones, particularly from Ukraine, are using their skills for the benefit of organized crime.

Europol warns that as the war in Ukraine continues and possibly escalates, the number of such highly trained individuals becoming involved in criminal structures in Europe may increase, posing a potential security threat.

Since the investigation is being conducted by German law enforcement, the Latvian police declined to provide further comments.