Vacation in Handcuffs: 26-Year-Old Arrested After Landing in Düsseldorf

From the Beach to Police Custody: Airport Check Ends in Arrest

One expects traffic jams, lost suitcases, or a delayed flight – but not that the Mallorca trip ends in handcuffs right after stepping off. This happened in early September at Düsseldorf Airport: During a routine, spot-check after the arrival of a flight from Palma, officers found that there was an outstanding arrest warrant against a 26-year-old passenger.

It was a sunny Wednesday, September 3, late afternoon in Arrival Hall B, when you know the flow of travelers, the duty-free queues and the soft beeps of luggage belts. According to authorities, it was a Polish national who had previously spent his holiday on the island. During the check, the officers uncovered an ongoing criminal case.

An Arrest Warrant from 2021 – Remaining Sentence Still Pending

The background: The man had previously been investigated and convicted for illegal import of narcotics. A court sentenced him in 2021; according to authorities, the convict still faced roughly 62 days of imprisonment. The officers detained the traveler at the airport and initiated the usual procedures.

Anyone thinking this was a large wanted poster was in for a surprise: It apparently wasn't a dramatic manhunt poster, but the result of a targeted spot-check. Such checks are routine at airports—and sometimes, as in this case, they catch you when you least expect it.

Transport and Handover to Judicial Authorities

Following the arrest, the 26-year-old was taken into custody provisionally and later transferred to the relevant judicial authorities. Sources say that the remainder of the sentence will be carried out under the applicable legal procedures between the states.

Here on the island, the memory remains that the best time can end quickly—sometimes on the beach, sometimes in the arrivals hall. A small but striking reminder for travelers: don’t just pack sunscreen; also be aware that unresolved legal matters across borders can have consequences.

Keywords: arrest, airport, arrest warrant, Mallorca, Düsseldorf, drug case.