First drug gang trial – defendant denies raping 16-year-old

He is said to have given drugs to a 16-year-old and then raped her - a 22-year-old has been standing before the district court in Nuremberg since Tuesday because of these allegations. At the start of the trial, according to a court spokeswoman, the defendant denied rape, but admitted to giving the girl drugs.

It is the first of numerous similar cases uncovered by the Nuremberg police investigation group “Kajal” and which is now being heard in court.

The investigators are targeting suspected drug dealers who are said to have first made girls and young women from precarious circumstances dependent on themselves and then sexually abused them. As a result, the perpetrators first gave them high-quality make-up, expensive clothing and drugs like crystal. Later they are said to have demanded sex from the girls in exchange for the drugs or raped their victims.

In this specific case, the public prosecutor's office accuses the 22-year-old of giving the victim twice in the spring prescription medication that can make him addictive and extremely sleepy. The second time he is said to have forced the girl to take it and then raped her.

The defendant is also said to have given his 16-year-old girlfriend Ecstasy. Investigators also found more drugs in his apartment.

In a written statement read by the defense attorney, the defendant explained that an acquaintance had left the drugs in his apartment. He consumed these himself and gave them to the two girls. He explained that he had had sexual contact several times with the girl, who was not his girlfriend, but it was consensual.

More than 20 men are now in custody in the matter. According to information from WELT, the majority of them are migrants from Syria, Iraq, Pakistan or North African countries. In addition to sexual offenses, they are also accused of supplying medication and narcotics to minors.

This involves drugs such as cocaine and crystal meth, but also prescription medications.

The cases also made national headlines. Since May 2026, the Nuremberg Investigative Commission (EKO) “Kajal” has been taking action against the perpetrators in the area around Nuremberg Central Station. The area is considered a crime hotspot.