In a sweeping law enforcement operation reminiscent of high-profile immigration crackdowns, Polish police detained over 1,500 individuals wanted by authorities, including 139 foreign nationals, during a two-day nationwide raid.
More than 24,000 officers were involved in the coordinated effort, which took place across the country on Monday and Tuesday. The operation, spearheaded by the Criminal Bureau of the National Police Headquarters in cooperation with the Border Guard, targeted individuals sought on arrest warrants and those residing illegally in Poland.
Among those detained were 1,567 individuals wanted by Polish authorities and 11 wanted internationally. Police reported that 139 foreigners were held for violating immigration laws, and deportation proceedings have been initiated.
Authorities emphasized that the raids were part of regular nationwide security operations designed to apprehend fugitives and check the legal status of foreign residents. “One of the goals was to verify the legality of foreigners’ stay in the country,” said a spokesperson from the National Police Headquarters.
The operation led to several notable arrests, including a 59-year-old man accused of committing a murder in 2014, apprehended by Silesian police units dubbed “headhunters.” In another case, Lower Silesian officers arrested a suspect found in possession of narcotics and psychotropic drugs.
Specialized units such as the Central Bureau for Combating Cybercrime, the Central Bureau of Investigation, and the Search and Identification Department of the Criminal Bureau also played significant roles. One high-profile arrest involved a man linked to a football hooligan network who was wanted for drug offenses and was detained shortly after returning from Western Europe.
Officials have stressed that this operation was not a one-off event but part of ongoing, routine actions aimed at reinforcing public safety across Poland.
