Drug alarm in Kötschach-Mauthen: house search with Cobra deployment!

Drug alarm in Kötschach-Mauthen: house search with Cobra deployment!

In the early morning hours of April 17, 2025, there was an extensive police operation in Kötschach-Mauthen, during which a young man's accommodation was searched. Loud gailtal-journal.at The investigation is in connection with suspected drug trafficking, which extended over a long period of time, including to minors.

The operation was extensively planned and included the use of a specially trained narcotics dog that attacked the accommodation. During the search, officers were able to seize small amounts of various narcotics, including cannabis, heroin and fentanyl. Twelve officers were involved in the operation, while the suspect was temporarily arrested and confessed during questioning.

Investigations and legal framework

However, on the orders of the public prosecutor, the young man was quickly released. The ongoing investigation aims to identify other possible buyers and to clarify the extent of the drug trade. This type of drug crime is not only local but also has international dimensions, as the statistics of the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) prove.

Combating drug-related crime is high on the agenda of the BKA, which acts as a central investigation and support office. In 2022, 346,877 drug offenses were registered in Germany, which corresponds to an increase of 1.8% compared to the previous year. The clearance rate is 90.8%, which indicates the proactive work of law enforcement authorities.

Current trends in drug trafficking

The increasing availability of drugs, especially cannabis, is also reflected in the figures for 2023. Here, 207,563 drug offenses related to cannabis alone were recorded. According to the BKA, security authorities seized 20.9 tonnes of marijuana, while cocaine trafficking rose by 27.4% to a new high. Around 43 tonnes of cocaine were seized, mainly coming to Europe from Ecuador and Brazil.

The seizures are diverse and also include synthetic drugs, with almost 2,000 kg of amphetamine and over 1.1 million ecstasy tablets seized in 2023. This shows the challenge that drug trafficking poses both for internal security in Germany and for the entire EU.

Drug-related crime also has health consequences. There were 2,227 drug-related deaths in 2023, an increase of 11.9% compared to the previous year. This worrying trend highlights the urgency of the measures that need to be taken against the illegal drug trade. The operation in Kötschach-Mauthen is part of this broader effort to curb drug trafficking and ensure community safety.

In this context, the operation in Kötschach-Mauthen highlights the increased challenge for the investigative authorities, who must respond to the changing drug landscape with sustainable strategic approaches in order to protect the safety of their citizens.