More Than 1,000 Drug Dealers Arrested: Special Police Unit Improves Safety in Prague City Centre

The Prague police unit specialising in drug-related crime has arrested more than 1,000 drug dealers since its establishment in 2020. In the most recent case, investigators seized more than half a kilogram of drugs during a vehicle inspection.

The so-called 11th Department of the Prague 1 Criminal Police was established on 1 July 2020. The unit was created in response to the challenging security situation in the historic centre of the Czech capital at the time. Areas around Wenceslas Square, the Vrchlický Gardens, the National Museum, Můstek and Na Příkopě shopping street had long been affected by open drug dealing and street crime.

The special unit built on the work of the “KRYSTAL” team, which was established in 2019, and has since focused on combating street-level drug dealing. Investigators often work undercover in known problem areas, gathering intelligence that leads to the identification and arrest of dealers.

According to the police, the unit’s intensive work has played a major role in reducing drug-related crime in central Prague and stabilising the security situation. At the same time, part of the drug scene shifted to other parts of the city, particularly Prague 5. Investigators responded immediately and arrested 30 suspected drug dealers there during the first month of operations. The work was later complemented by the specially established “Anděl” team.

Video: Policie ČR - Team KRYSTAL

More Than 1,000 Arrests Since 2020

Since its establishment, the unit has recorded more than 1,000 arrests of drug dealers. In addition, officers have located 120 wanted persons from across the country. They have also issued nearly 500 fines with a total value exceeding one million Czech crowns.

In the latest case, investigators received information from sources within the drug scene about a vehicle allegedly transporting a large quantity of drugs through Prague. After analysing the intelligence, officers identified the suspect vehicle and carried out an inspection together with a police patrol and members of the Customs Administration.

During the search, officers initially discovered more than 100 grams of a white crystalline substance. A subsequent inspection of the vehicle led to the seizure of a further 500 grams of drugs as well as nearly €2,000 in cash.

The arrested 29-year-old foreign national is suspected of the illegal manufacture and trafficking of narcotic substances. If convicted, he faces a prison sentence of up to ten years under Czech law.

The police regard the work of the special unit as an important contribution to combating the open drug scene and street crime in central Prague. According to the authorities, regular security operations also show that the number of crime-related individuals in the city centre has fallen significantly compared with previous years.