German police raid over 60 sites linked to meat industry

German police simultaneously searched more than 60 homes and businesses in five states early Wednesday in connection with alleged illegal trafficking of migrants for use in meat industry.

Federal police said in a statement that focus of ir investigation was on two different temporary employment companies who allegedly trafficked 82 people mostly from eastern Europe to Germany in last six months.

body was arrested during raids in eastern and rrn Germany, but investigators confiscated documents and or evidence.

Ten suspects are accused of having forged documents and signed up workers as fake university students pretending to work in holiday jobs.

ten main suspects are d between 41 and 56 years. ir identities were t given, but police said eight men and two women stem originally from Poland, Ukraine, Russia and Kosovo. Police estimate that suspects generated about 1.5 million euros ($1.75 million) in profits through ir illegal scheme.

During raids, police detained more than 20 workers who allegedly used forged student documents.

Several bigger coronavirus outbreaks at German meatpacking plants recently have revealed that many of mostly migrant workers are often exploited and live in desolate, cramped conditions.