Turkish Gangs Bring Violence and Extortion to Berlin’s Streets
Berlin, February 21, 2026 – The German capital has become the battleground for an escalating gang war, as organized crime groups from Turkey establish a foothold in the city, bringing with them drug trafficking, weapon smuggling, and brutal turf disputes. The Landeskriminalamt (LKA) has been on high alert since last year, investigating a rising number of violent incidents that include shootings, grenade attacks, and extortion.
Incidents such as bullets striking bar windows and restaurant doors, a hand grenade exploding in a Kreuzberg nightclub in December 2025, and targeted shootings at the homes of prominent figures within the Turkish-Kurdish community have become increasingly common. Innocent bystanders have also been injured in these violent clashes.
A New Threat: Extortion and Imported Hitmen
Fear is prevalent among Turkish-background shop owners, who report receiving threatening calls. Those who refuse to pay “protection money” face severe consequences. Few victims dare to report these incidents to the police.
These Turkish groups are also aggressively moving into the lucrative drug trade. Police reports almost weekly detail violent incidents stemming from these turf battles. Berlin’s Justice Senator, Felor Badenberg (CDU), described the situation as a “new threat.” She told broadcaster RBB, “We are now seeing rival gangs visibly using violence on Berlin’s streets, whether through hand grenade attacks on premises, or shootings at people, vehicles, and buildings.”
In 2025, police recorded 543 shooting incidents and 629 cases of threats involving firearms. This marks a significant increase from 2024, which saw 363 shootings and 303 threats. The violence is primarily attributed to Turkish-Kurdish gangs. Berlin’s Police President, Barbara Slowik Meisel, recently revealed that hitmen are being specifically flown into Germany. “They travel here on short-term tourist visas to commit crimes for which they have received orders,” she explained. “They then quickly disappear after their acts.”
“New Generation” Gangs and Their Recruitment Tactics
What is now taking root in Germany, particularly Berlin, has been a long-standing problem in Turkey: “new generation” street gangs that have grown powerful through extortion, drug, and weapon smuggling, according to journalist and author Osman Cakli. Among these are the Daltons, known for their brutal methods and recruitment of young members through online media.
These gangs, much like similar groups in Central and South America, attract young men. Court documents from a trial against the Daltons indicate that men aged 15 to 20 are primarily recruited, but an increasing number of young women are also joining. Cakli estimates that in Istanbul alone, a city of 15 million, there are 1,000 armed members. In an ongoing trial against the notorious Casper gang, approximately 70 minors have been charged.
Lured by Fame and Fortune: The Socioeconomic Roots of Gang Recruitment
Cakli states that these gangs evoke fascination and longing among young people in impoverished neighborhoods. On TikTok, they present a lifestyle that inspires dreams: money, expensive cars, and weapons. Young people joining these gangs often come from Kurdish or Alevi families, marginalized in Turkey for decades due to discrimination. The high inflation of recent years has exacerbated this situation.
“Drug dealers earn 250,000 to 300,000 lira a month,” Cakli noted, which translates to roughly 5,000 to 6,000 euros. “A textile worker works 13 to 14 hours a day in a factory, often uninsured and without minimum wage. If the children of these families are not caught, they can earn in a few months what would take two or three years.”
Minors often receive short prison sentences, which is often seen as a badge of honor within these circles. Access to the gangs is alarmingly easy; a simple message suffices. “Someone who leaves a comment under a video on TikTok can become a contract killer two months later.” Weapons are readily available. Cakli reports that a weapon can be delivered by a courier via TikTok for the equivalent of just under 60 euros. A Kalashnikov assault rifle can be purchased for as little as 300 euros.
Turkey’s Role in International Drug Trafficking and Berlin’s Vulnerability
A primary source of income for these gangs is drug trafficking. Turkey’s importance in the international drug trade has grown rapidly in recent years, earning it the moniker “Europe’s Mexico” from some experts. International cartels use Turkish ports to smuggle cocaine from South America into Europe, bypassing stricter controls in ports like Rotterdam or Antwerp. According to Cakli, Istanbul’s gang-controlled neighborhoods also serve as major transshipment points for these smuggled drugs. Authorities in Turkey are largely powerless against these gangs.
The expansion of the Daltons into Berlin is attributed to increasing pressure in Turkey and the pursuit of new markets. Benjamin Jendro, spokesman for the Berlin Police Union (GdP), states that Berlin is a metropolis with a flourishing drug market, and its police and judiciary are understaffed. “We have seen for a few months that the Ezgins, an offshoot of the so-called Daltons, are becoming more active and have discovered the capital as a field of activity and a market for themselves,” says Jendro. He adds that these gangs are more brutal than before. “Everyone has firearms, and no longer just small calibers. They act ruthlessly and reactively, without prolonged threats, but with immediate action.”
The gang’s presence is even publicly displayed. At a prominent funeral in Berlin in January, attended by members of the criminal underworld, a large wreath and ribbon bore the inscription “Daltonlar.”
“Ferrum” Task Force Responds with Raids and Controls
In response to the persistent violence, the Berlin LKA established a large special unit in November, named BAO (Special Task Force) “Ferrum” (Latin for “iron”), in reference to firearms. Since then, police have been raiding and searching shisha bars and snack shops almost nightly in Kreuzberg, Schöneberg, Wedding, Charlottenburg, and Neukölln. Traffic controls are in place at known hotspots. Police have checked the identities of approximately 5,000 people, 3,000 cars, and over 800 establishments.
The results of these operations include 18 confiscated firearms, 192 rounds of ammunition, 10 blank-firing pistols, and 50 other weapons such as knives, baseball bats, and tasers. Police have initiated 260 investigations, identified 50 suspects, and issued 12 arrest warrants. Police emphasize that these operations have been effective, signaling to organized crime that they should leave their weapons at home. The pressure must now be maintained.
Source: dpa-infocom, dpa:260221-930-716025/1
