The Berlin chapter of a notoriously dangerous biker gang has joined up with their onetime rivals, the Hells Angels, according to Die Welt (reprinted in English by WorldCrunch). Once boasting numerous chapters throughout the Berlin area, the Bandidos have seen their numbers thinned by widespread arrests of gang leadership. The Bandidos found themselves down to just 15 members in the Berlin area. Seeing strength in numbers, the remaining members jumped ship and joined the Hells Angels.

The two biker groups, known for their violent clashes which have involved knife and machete fights and “near amputation of limbs,” have a strong motive to collaborate. Both gangs are known to make money from drugs, racketeering and control of area nightclubs, Die Welt reported.  For the Hells Angels, the pick-up of Bandidos membership means they “not only have one less competitor, they have real pros that have all the contact details of the most important people in this industry,” an official told Die Welt.

In a separate move, a leader of the Berlin Hells Angels is considering joining the Danish Hells Angels, as the “Denmark” iteration of the group is not banned in Berlin, according to Die Welt.

https://reportingproject.net/occrp/index.php/en/ccwatch/cc-watch-briefs/1879-germany-biker-gangs-more-dangerous-after-merger