The Turkish mafia is involved in drug trafficking and human smuggling, as well as illegal gambling and telephone fraud. The group has been spreading from Germany into Switzerland, Fedpol boss Eva Wildi-Cortés told Swiss public television, SRF, on Sunday.“We are seeing that the Turkish mafia is on the rise.”

This group has a high potential for violence, as there has been a generational shift within the organisation.“And we are seeing that the new generation is much more prone to violence and settles its rivalries with weapons,” said Wildi-Cortés, adding that shootings in the streets are also being observed in Germany.

Open violence between rival criminal groups is also becoming more frequent in Switzerland.“The drug trade is a lucrative business, and as long as everyone is earning enough, things are relatively calm,” she said.

Over 800 different such groups are active in Europe, including in Switzerland – leading to turf wars.“It's worrying that the potential for violence is increasing.”

This content was published on Apr 17, 2024 Organised crime has undoubtedly infiltrated Switzerland's justice system, and police resources are insufficient to combat it, warns Fedpol director.