The events were like something out of a movie. Around 9.45am, the police in the garage wanted to carry out checks on the driver of a small van because they suspected him of the illegal importation of drugs. He got away and the empty vehicle, which was a Renault Kangoo according to GA information, was later found near the roundabout at Potsdamer Platz.

A black Audi then came to the attention of a patrol car on Kölnstraße at around 11.50am. It was parked on a narrow lane at the side of the street, which police spokesman Robert Scholten said was unusual. Scholten said the driver raced off when plain clothes policemen went to speak to him. The officers had to jump out of the way and fired several times hitting the bumper and one of the car’s doors. No one was hurt.

The police later stopped the Audi at an allotment near the roundabout. Scholten said the driver of the rental car was a 29-year-old known to police. However, the police and public prosecutor’s office did not want to say how far he was involved with the drug smugglers at the centre of the two hour long police operation during which, according to GA information, police also conducted house searches. After the arrest, police secured evidence from both vehicles. The allotment was also searched. Items were confiscated, but Scholter did not give any specific information. The use of police weapons will also have to be examined.

(Original text: Jens Kleinert Translated by Kate Carey.)