Augsburg City Club police raid: drugs found, debate

During the Augsburg City Club police raid, law enforcement uncovered a total of 170 grams of drugs, including substances such as cocaine, LSD, ketamine, GHB, and amphetamines. The drugs were discovered in areas not accessible to club guests, emphasizing the hidden nature of the substances within the establishment. Additionally, approximately 50 discarded packages containing various drugs were collected from the club floor, and a precision scale was found in a bar, indicating possible drug distribution activities.

The operation sparked controversy, particularly over claims of open drug use within the club. In response, club representative Martina Sulzberger disputed these allegations, asserting that over more than a year, only one instance of drug consumption had been documented during an authorized operation. The police initiated 63 investigations following the raid, with 21 suspects identified, while 42 investigations are still ongoing. Reports of intrusive search methods during the raid, including invasive personal searches, have further fueled the debate surrounding the police operation.

The Augsburg City Club police raid yielded a total of 170 grams of drugs, investigators told Bayerischer Rundfunk. The substances identified in the operation included cocaine, LSD, ketamine, GHB, and amphetamines.

Investigators reported that drugs were found in locations within the venue that were not accessible to regular guests, and during the search authorities collected about 50 discarded packages with various drugs from the club floor. A precision scale was discovered in a bar area of the club.

Investigators described a steel capsule hanging from the ceiling that was referred to as the “consumption UFO,” and they reported that the capsule was accessible only via a ladder; access to that installation was dismantled and the “consumption UFO” was closed in December 2025.

Police officials characterized the total amount found as exceptionally large for a public establishment in the city centre. A street worker contacted by reporters classified the quantity as personal use, and club representative Martina Sulzberger also expressed support for the assessment that the amount corresponded to personal use rather than large-scale distribution.

Following the operation, police initiated 63 separate investigations into matters arising from the raid, and authorities stated that suspects are known in 21 of those cases while 42 investigations remain under investigation.

Police authorities reported that cocaine was reportedly snorted “directly at the bar counter” as an observed behaviour during the incident, and Deputy Police President Michael Riederer commented, “Underwear is often simply a hiding place for drugs.”

Officials also reported that the element of surprise was used during the operation and attributed damage to club infrastructure to that tactic. Investigations are additionally underway against two participants in a spontaneous demonstration that took place during the police action.

Martina Sulzberger, a representative of the City Club Augsburg, challenged the claims regarding widespread drug use in the club. She firmly denied the existence of persistent open drug consumption, citing investigation findings available to her. Sulzberger noted that over more than a year, only one instance of drug use was reported during an authorized information operation. In this case, a guest allegedly consumed cocaine at the wardrobe counter.

She emphasized that such activities contradict the club’s policies, and if such an event had been observed by the staff, the guest would have been immediately expelled. Sulzberger also supported the assessment that the amount of drugs found, while considered substantial by investigators, was consistent with personal use rather than indicative of a larger distribution operation. This view was aligned with the comments of a street worker who also classified the quantity as personal use.

By presenting these counterpoints, Sulzberger aimed to refute the allegations and provide a clearer context to the club’s operational protocols regarding drug-related activities.

Police officials characterized the raid as a response to findings they described as unusually large for a public venue in the city centre and reported specific observations made during the operation. Deputy Police President Michael Riederer commented on concealment methods, stating, “Underwear is often simply a hiding place for drugs.” Police statements included reports that cocaine was reportedly snorted “directly at the bar counter,” and officers found drugs in locations not accessible to regular guests.

The action initiated 63 separate investigations, with suspects identified in 21 cases and 42 matters remaining under investigation. Authorities also reported that inquiries are underway against two participants in a spontaneous demonstration that occurred during the police operation. Investigative work has focused on tracing responsibility for the items recovered and on documenting circumstances of possession and use.

Police described tactical measures used during the raid and noted operational consequences. Officials said the element of surprise was employed and attributed resulting damage to club infrastructure to that tactic. Reports from the scene included accounts of personal searches and intrusive examinations; one visitor said, “I was scared.”

Visitors present during the Augsburg City Club police raid reported being subjected to invasive personal searches and intrusive examinations by officers carrying out the operation. One visitor said she had been forced to lift her sweater while her friend was reportedly illuminated with a flashlight in the anus and vagina; the visitor described the experience by saying, ‘I was scared.’

These specific allegations were recorded among scene reports related to the raid. No further individual visitor complaints about police conduct are detailed in the available account. The reported incidents focus on the methods used during searches and the personal impact described by those involved.

Debate: Augsburg City Club police raid and controversy over operational force and evidence

The raid has prompted debate over the operation’s use of force and reported damage to club infrastructure, and over differing assessments of drug-related evidence. Positions cited include police statements about concealment methods and tactical reasons, and club representatives disputing claims of persistent open drug consumption and characterising the quantities found as personal use.

The Augsburg City Club police raid involved the recovery of 170 grams of drugs, with investigators listing cocaine, LSD, ketamine, GHB and amphetamines among the substances found. Authorities reported that drugs were located in parts of the venue not accessible to regular guests, and officers collected about 50 discarded packages from the club floor. A precision scale was discovered in a bar area, and investigators described a steel capsule suspended from the ceiling referred to as the “consumption UFO,” which was accessible only via a ladder and was dismantled and closed in December 2025.

Police officials characterized the total amount recovered as exceptionally large for a public establishment in the city centre and reported observed behaviour during the operation, including that cocaine was reportedly snorted directly at the bar counter. Deputy Police President Michael Riederer stated, “Underwear is often simply a hiding place for drugs.” As a result of the operation, police initiated 63 investigations; authorities indicated that suspects are known in 21 of those cases while 42 investigations remain under investigation, and inquiries are additionally under way against two participants in a spontaneous demonstration that occurred during the action. Officials said the element of surprise was used during the raid and attributed resulting destruction of club infrastructure to that tactical approach.

The operation produced differing statements from involved parties and prompted public debate. Club representative Martina Sulzberger rejected claims of open and persistent drug consumption, saying that over more than a year there had been only a single observation of drug use during an information operation when a guest was said to have consumed cocaine at the wardrobe counter, and she stated that guests observed consuming drugs would be immediately expelled. A street worker interviewed by reporters classified the quantity found as consistent with personal use, a position Sulzberger also supported. Visitor complaints recorded from the scene included a report that one visitor was forced to lift her sweater while a friend was reportedly illuminated with a flashlight in intimate areas, and the visitor said, “I was scared.”

The Augsburg City Club police raid yielded a total of 170 grams of drugs, and the substances reported by investigators included cocaine, LSD, ketamine, GHB and amphetamines. Authorities reported that drugs were found in areas of the venue that were not accessible to regular guests, and during the search officers collected about 50 discarded packages containing various drugs from the club floor. A precision scale was discovered in a bar area of the club during the operation. These items were recorded among the evidentiary finds catalogued by investigators following the raid.

Investigators described a steel capsule suspended from the ceiling that was referred to in reports as the “consumption UFO,” and they stated that the capsule was accessible only via a ladder; access to that installation was dismantled and the “consumption UFO” was closed in December 2025. Police officials characterized the total amount recovered as exceptionally large for a public establishment in the city centre. A street worker who commented to reporters classified the quantity as personal use, and club representative Martina Sulzberger expressed support for that assessment rather than for an interpretation of large-scale distribution.

Following the raid, police initiated 63 separate investigations related to the findings and the operation. Authorities stated that suspects are known in 21 of those cases while 42 investigations remain under investigation. Investigations are additionally under way against two participants in a spontaneous demonstration that took place during the police action. Police reports from the scene noted observed behaviour including that cocaine was reportedly snorted “directly at the bar counter,” Deputy Police President Michael Riederer commented, “Underwear is often simply a hiding place for drugs,” and officials said the element of surprise was used during the operation and attributed resulting destruction of club infrastructure to that tactic.

Police officials described the Augsburg City Club police raid as a response to what they characterized as an unusually large quantity of drugs recovered from the venue, reporting a seizure amounting to 170 grams that included multiple substances. Authorities stated that drugs were found in parts of the club not accessible to regular guests and that about 50 discarded packages with various drugs were collected from the club floor. Officers also reported finding a precision scale in a bar area and observed a steel ceiling capsule that investigators referred to as the “consumption UFO.”

Police statements included observations of on-site consumption and concealment methods detected during the operation. Investigators reported that cocaine was reportedly snorted “directly at the bar counter” and Deputy Police President Michael Riederer commented, “Underwear is often simply a hiding place for drugs.” Those remarks were presented by police alongside the cataloguing of items and behaviours noted during the search.

Following the operation, police initiated 63 separate investigations; authorities stated that suspects are known in 21 of those cases while 42 investigations remain under investigation. Investigations are also under way against two participants in a spontaneous demonstration that took place during the police action. Police officials said the element of surprise was employed during the raid and attributed resulting destruction of club infrastructure to that tactical approach.

Visitors present during the Augsburg City Club police raid reported invasive personal searches carried out by officers during the operation. One visitor said she had been forced to lift her sweater while her friend was reportedly illuminated with a flashlight in the anus and vagina. The visitor described the experience by saying, “I was scared.” These incidents were reported among the scene accounts compiled after the raid.

The published account records these specific allegations but does not provide additional individual complaints about police conduct. The reported incidents focus on the search methods used during the operation and the personal impact described by those involved. No further details about follow-up measures or official responses to these visitor complaints are provided in the available account.

Police officials described the Augsburg City Club police raid as involving a seizure of 170 grams of drugs that included cocaine, LSD, ketamine, GHB and amphetamines. Investigators reported that drugs were found in areas of the venue not accessible to regular guests, and officers discovered a precision scale in a bar area. Reports from the operation also noted a steel capsule hanging from the ceiling described as the “consumption UFO,” which was accessible only via a ladder and was dismantled and closed in December 2025.

Police statements included observations of on-site consumption and concealment methods noted during the search, with an account that cocaine was reportedly snorted “directly at the bar counter.” Deputy Police President Michael Riederer commented, “Underwear is often simply a hiding place for drugs.” Officers collected about 50 discarded packages containing various drugs from the club floor as part of the evidentiary finds recorded at the scene.

Following the operation, authorities initiated 63 separate investigations; they stated that suspects are known in 21 of those cases while 42 matters remain under investigation. Investigations are additionally under way against two participants in a spontaneous demonstration that occurred during the police action. Police officials said the element of surprise was used during the raid and attributed resulting destruction of club infrastructure to that tactical approach.