German customs have raided three companies suspected of illegally exporting machine components and chemicals to Russia in violation of EU sanctions, according to a statement released Thursday. On March 27, investigators searched 14 residential and commercial locations in the region around Frankfurt, according to the local customs office. Customs officers seized "voluminous" business documents and storage equipment during the raids and approximately €1 million ($1.2 million) from two of the companies as a "precaution". The statement also said two of the companies "allegedly exported various machine components and chemicals to Russia on a commercial basis, in violation of an existing ban". In a separate case in February, German authorities arrested five people on suspicion of exporting goods worth roughly €30 million to Russia, including to arms companies.

Source: The Local April 03, 2026 13:40 UTC