Police stop van: Over 300 kg of cannabis confiscated on the highway!

Police stop van: Over 300 kg of cannabis confiscated on the highway!

A notable incident occurred on May 23, 2025, when officers from the Münster Motorway Police stopped a van at the Karthaus rest area on the A43 towards Wuppertal. During the inspection at 12:45 a.m., an intense smell of cannabis was noticed. The back of the vehicle was filled to the top with plastic bags and boxes containing over 300kg of freshly harvested cannabis plants. This amount is suitable for obtaining around 75 kg of marijuana. The transporter and the entire cargo were immediately confiscated.

The driver of the van, a 58-year-old man with Dutch citizenship, was taken into police custody in Dülmen, and the Münster district court ordered him to be held in custody. There is a suspicion that he was dealing in narcotics illegally. The criminal investigations in the Coesfeld district are ongoing and could have far-reaching consequences.

Legal situation regarding cannabis in traffic

The issue of cannabis on the road is not only important in this case. On April 1, 2024, the new cannabis law in Germany came into force, allowing adults to legally consume cannabis. However, there are strict regulations that must be observed in road traffic. Driving under the influence of drugs, including cannabis, can be punished as drunk driving according to Section 316 of the Criminal Code. During traffic stops, all drivers, especially those under the influence of drugs, must expect severe consequences, which can range from fines to the revocation of their driving license.

The consumption of cannabis is completely prohibited for novice drivers and drivers under the age of 21. There is a limit of 3.5 nanograms of cannabis per milliliter of blood serum, which has been in force in Germany since July 5, 2024. Any violation of this value can be punished with fines, points in the traffic offenders' register and driving bans.

Regulations and recommendations for road safety

The Federal Ministry of Health, in collaboration with an interdisciplinary working group, published new recommendations on road safety in December 2023. The group, which includes experts from medicine, law and traffic, suggests that every participant must be fit to drive. To ensure that other road users are not endangered, it is essential to strictly adhere to the applicable regulations.

Another point is that if drug use is suspected, the police can order drug tests. Although it is legally possible to refuse these tests, the police may require a blood test to prove that you are fit to drive. If you are charged with drug driving, you should always consult a traffic lawyer to protect your rights and review possible legal action.

Overall, the case in Münster shows how seriously the authorities take the illegal trade in cannabis and the dangers of road traffic. The ongoing investigation could not only get the driver into serious trouble, but also further fuel the discussion about the responsible use of cannabis in everyday life. While legal consumption of cannabis is gaining ground in Germany, road safety remains a key concern.

You can find more information about the legal regulations surrounding cannabis and road traffic in the articles from police.news, anwalt.de and bundesgesundheitsministerium.de.