Police in the southern German city of Konstanz on Thursday called on the public to help after an unknown man threatened to deposit poisoned products on supermarket shelves across the country unless he receives a large sum of money.
News of the alleged blackmail came at a joint press conference between the police and prosecutor's office, who warned that the threat could affect Germany and other European countries, Efe news agency reported.
The threat was deemed to be credible because the police and stores threatened had received an email warning that a certain number of jars of poisoned baby food had been placed in specific locations.
Police, who seized the products from various shops in the city of southern city of Friedrichshafen -- without publicizing it -- on Thursday released CCTV images showing the main suspect holding a basket in a supermarket, and called on citizens to help so that he could be identified and arrested as soon as possible.
The man appeared to be in his fifties, of average height, and was wearing glasses and a hat.
The authorities urged the public to remain calm and to check that the products they buy have not been manipulated or opened before making purchases.
Police did not reveal the exact amount that was being demanded but said it was at least 10 million euro ($11.7 million).
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