Drug Deliveries from Spain to Vienna: Network Dismantled

In the course of the eleven arrests since December 2024, 259 kilograms of drugs were seized. The narcotics had previously been brought from Spain to Vienna on a weekly basis, according to Jürgen Jevsnikar, head of the "Organized Crime" department.

The AG "Sahara", founded only in September of the previous year, was established due to an increasing number of perpetrator groups from North Africa. As Jevsnikar reported at a media event, both the drugs found during the "Scirocco" operation and their buyers in Vienna were attributed to this region. However, during the investigations, it soon became apparent "that the Balkan mafia organized the supply. Based on the current state of investigations, we assume a 40-member network that was active across Europe." The origin of the organizers did not cause any surprise, as the Balkan mafia currently dominates the drug trade in Austria.

Deliveries in Vienna Immediately Redistributed

The accused, citizens from Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Slovenia, and Austria, are accused of importing and distributing around 1.5 tons of cannabis products over a period of about a year. The logistical approach involved organizing a truck with a driver in Slovenia, for example, which then drove towards Spain. "The vehicles were then loaded at the port of Barcelona, and then went via the France-Italy route to Austria," explained Jevsnikar.

The destination was always the federal capital Vienna. Upon arrival, the narcotics were transferred to smaller vehicles and redistributed to various stash apartments. To ensure as smooth a distribution as possible, cars were also rented in Austria to check the delivery addresses before delivery.

So Far 13 Verifiable Deliveries

The investigators assume that the drug imports occurred on a weekly basis, currently there are 13 verifiable deliveries, but the dark figure is likely higher, according to Jevsnikar. The criminals, however, were thrown off rhythm when one of the trucks was taken out of circulation as part of the Europe-wide operation "Scirocco," which was especially coordinated with France. This logistical disruption then led to an interruption in the supply chain, which could last several weeks.

In two raids, vehicles destined for Vienna were found to contain 95 kilograms of cannabis resin and 110 kilograms of flowers. This is now the usual amount in drug smuggling, as criminals have moved away from smaller delivery units over the years - any arrest of the drivers rented under the "Crime as a Service" principle is accepted.

Suspect Operated Indoor Plantations in Austria

However, it was not only drugs imported from abroad that were seized along with 60,000 in cash, a truck with Slovenian license plates, several firearms, as well as cutting and stabbing weapons. One of the arrested individuals is also accused of being the operator of cannabis plantations in Lower Austria and Burgenland. A mobile phone tracking of the suspect led to the indoor facilities. "Certain, recurring travel routes were noticed," said Jevsnikar. The further observations initiated were concluded with a raid at the end of June.

(APA/Red)

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