Mega-Smuggling to Vienna Uncovered: Hundreds of Kilos of Drugs Hidden in Truck

Narcotics investigators from the Vienna State Criminal Police Office achieved a significant blow against the drug scene. Around Easter, several hundred kilograms of cannabis and two kilograms of cocaine were seized in Styria and Vienna during two operations.

The drugs were hidden in trucks under food items. Five men aged between 35 and 47 were arrested, while another suspect managed to escape, as investigators reported during a background discussion on Monday.

Organized Logistics from North Africa and the Balkans

The success is attributed to the work of the "AG Maghreb" investigation group, established in 2015 at the Vienna LKA. The focus of the investigations is on North African criminal groups that source their drugs via the Balkans. The goods are often disguised with regular truck deliveries. Only one vehicle in a fleet of freight trucks actually contains narcotics, which are later distributed to so-called "runners" to be sold on the streets.

First Seizure at the Border with Slovenia

On April 9, officers inspected a semi-trailer truck after entry at Spielfeld and found 141 kilograms of cannabis herb and one kilogram of cocaine in the driver's cabin. The 47-year-old Serbian driver and his 38-year-old Bosnian co-driver were arrested. According to the police, the cocaine served as "sample cocaine" to demonstrate the quality of the goods to potential buyers.

Second Seizure after Easter in Vienna

On April 22, another seizure took place in Vienna-Favoriten. The perpetrators attempted to repack 241 kilograms of cannabis herb from a semi-trailer truck into a small van. Despite strict surveillance by the perpetrators, who interrupted their work at every passerby, investigators, with the support of special units DSE and EKO Cobra, managed to seize the goods. Three men from Montenegro were arrested, while the truck driver managed to escape.

Further Finds during House Searches

House searches were conducted in several apartments in Vienna. During these, another kilogram of cocaine, around 40,000 euros in cash, and a money counting machine were secured. Whether the arrested individuals have connections to known Balkan mafia clans such as "Kavac" or "Vracar" is the subject of ongoing investigations. The suspects have so far refused to make any statements.

(APA/Red)

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