Raid in Vienna: Huge marijuana plantation uncovered!

Raid in Vienna: Huge marijuana plantation uncovered!

An extensive marijuana plantation was excavated in the Floridsdorf district of Vienna last Saturday, September 29, 2025. The police discovered not only 1,860 cannabis strains, but also 2.8 kilograms of already packaged marijuana. This action was the result of complaints from residents who complained about the strong smell of marijuana in the area. Three men aged 26, 33 and 34, all from Serbia, were arrested on site. None of the suspects were registered at the address and, based on the public prosecutor's order, they were transferred to a correctional facility.

“The hide-and-seek game was not particularly effective,” said an investigator from the North branch of the State Criminal Police Office, Lochmahr group. The raid came after residents provided high-quality information indicating larger indoor plantings - including windows facing the street. One of the arrested men was already known to the police for similar crimes. However, all three suspects refused to give statements, which did not make the investigation any easier for the time being.

Legal background

The situation sheds light on the strict laws in Austria regarding cannabis. While small amounts for personal use have been decriminalized since 2016, recreational consumption remains illegal. Manufacturing and trading are still punishable by law. Possession and purchase of cannabis containing THC can result in fines or even prison sentences of up to six months. According to current regulations, home cultivation for intoxicating purposes is prohibited in the country, which makes the arrest of the men in Floridsdorf all the more serious.

The debate surrounding the legalization of cannabis is made particularly clear by general social change. More and more voices - especially younger generations - are calling for a more liberal drug policy. Nevertheless, the ruling parties such as the ÖVP and FPÖ are stubbornly sticking to the ban policy. Against this background, it will be exciting to see whether developments in Germany will have an impact on Austrian cannabis legislation.

For many, cannabis remains a lucrative but risky business. The latest arrests show that, despite all the political discussions and social changes, the fight against the illegal drug trade is far from over. A telling example of this is the plantation in Vienna that has now been uncovered, which not only sheds light on the trade that is considered illegal, but also underlines the explosiveness of a possible change in the law.

For further information on the laws surrounding cannabis in Austria, those interested can take a look at the detailed information Kushberg throw. Also South Tyrol News and Salzburg24 provide comprehensive reports and analyzes on this.