An abandoned house in Soest-Epsingsen was secretly transformed into a large-scale drug bunker by the Albanian mafia. The police discovered over 1,700 marijuana plants inside, revealing the sophisticated operation.
Abandoned house in Epsingsen used for marijuana cultivation
In the quiet village of Epsingsen, an old, dilapidated house on Wiethofstraße became the center of a significant illegal operation. The half-timbered house, located at the end of a cul-de-sac, appeared neglected from the outside, with closed shutters and a wooden board blocking the view through the crumbling facade. However, behind this unassuming exterior, the Albanian drug mafia had set up an extensive marijuana plantation.
The street is deserted, and the house, with its red brickwork, is overgrown with weeds. Approaching the building, the loud barking of a neighbor’s dog quickly alerts to any movement. The property next door, a well-kept bungalow, features signs warning about the dog in multiple languages, including German, French, Russian, and Arabic. Despite the secluded location of the house in this remote cul-de-sac, several Albanian individuals managed to rent the house and transform it into a professional drug bunker without arousing suspicion from the neighbors.
Police seize over 1,700 marijuana plants
The police were tipped off by the landlord after they stumbled upon hundreds of marijuana plants in another property he owned in Rüthen. In total, the authorities discovered more than 1,700 plants across three houses—two in Rüthen and one in Epsingsen. Photos from the scene reveal a highly organized operation, clearly the work of professionals.
The police raided the Epsingsen property on the same night they made the initial discovery in Rüthen. What they found inside left little room for doubt: the doors of the rooms were sealed with plastic sheeting and duct tape, creating a controlled environment where the cannabis plants thrived. Heat lamps hung from the ceilings, and aluminum foil lined the walls, likely to retain heat.
Some rooms were entirely covered in plastic, from floor to ceiling. Fans circulated the air, while ventilation systems provided fresh air and masked the strong smell of marijuana. The plantations were spread throughout the house, with planting soil and fertilizers stored in the hallways.
Living in inhumane conditions with Nutella for breakfast
Beyond the drug cultivation, the police found evidence of the harsh living conditions endured by the individuals working in the house. In the basement, grimy sleeping areas, a refrigerator, a stove, and other items indicated that the workers not only cultivated the plants but also lived there under inhumane conditions. However, it appears that they had Nutella for breakfast, as the police found evidence of the spread on-site. After securing evidence, the police transported everything to the Soest police station, which now reportedly smells like a large marijuana plantation.
The Albanian suspects are currently on the run. According to Europol, the Albanian mafia is determined to expand its dominance in the European drug market, even resorting to violence on German soil in the past. The absence of a rental contract between the drug cultivators and the landlord, along with payments made exclusively in cash, has complicated the investigation for the Soest criminal investigators. Despite these challenges, the police are reportedly making progress and are not “completely in the dark.”
