Drug ring smashed in Vienna: Ten arrests and millions worth of assets secured!

Drug ring smashed in Vienna: Ten arrests and millions worth of assets secured!

What an upswing in the fight against drugs: An Albanian drug ring that had been active in the Vienna area since summer 2020 was dismantled. The drugs sold by the ring are said to have been worth around 2.5 million euros. This reports Vienna.at. Lower Austrian police have arrested a total of ten suspects in Austria and Germany, including some who have brought a massive amount of drugs onto the market in recent months.

A total of seven men are currently in custody at the Vienna-Josefstadt prison. The 32-year-old main suspect, an Albanian from the Gänserndorf district, is also there. His 48-year-old uncle, who is considered the client, was caught in Duisburg. In addition to the arrests, more than 9 kilograms of cocaine, 64 kilograms of cannabis herb and cash amounting to 44,265 euros were also seized.

The amount of drugs and the market

The criminal group is suspected of having at least 32 kilograms of cocaine and 65 kilograms of herbal cannabis in circulation. As part of an intensive investigation led by the Lower Austria State Criminal Police Office and in cooperation with German authorities, a significant amount of drugs was seized on May 26th and 28th. A task force known as “La Familia” was crucial to this investigation. It shows how close the cooperation between the district and neighboring countries works to put an end to drug trafficking.

But what does the current situation in the drug market say overall? According to a report by EUDAD The availability of illegal drugs in the EU is remarkably high. It affects all types of substances, with the higher purity of drugs and novel substances in particular causing increasing concern. Health risks are increasing, especially for socially and economically disadvantaged groups. Another point is the recruitment of young people by criminal networks, which are becoming increasingly interconnected in Europe.

Collaboration across borders

Drug trafficking in Europe is not an isolated problem. The globalization of criminal methods has contributed to the spread of illegal drugs. One example is the increasing number of drug seizures in EU ports, where almost 70% of all seizures occur. There is also a trend towards increased numbers of drug offenses seized and increasingly sophisticated methods of drug production, such as the raids on MDMA and methamphetamine laboratories.

The drastic increases in drug quantities are alarming: cocaine seizures increased by 376% between 2012 and 2022. When we consider these figures, it is clear that the fight against drug trafficking in Europe must be more serious than ever. The EU Drugs Strategy for 2021-2025 aims to support measures to combat drug trafficking and promote improved customs risk management tactics to control the challenging market.

Despite the slow improvement, it is clear that the determination to end the drug trade continues to be required. A good hand in combating these criminal activities is essential so that society becomes safer and young people do not fall into the clutches of drug sellers.