Drug and weapons smuggling: Villach gang arrested!

Drug and weapons smuggling: Villach gang arrested!

On June 16, 2025, authorities reported another major hit against the drug trade in Austria. Investigations by the Villach city police command began in April against a 19-year-old from Villach. These led to a traffic stop on June 14th during which the suspect was stopped. In the vehicle, the officers found narcotic drugs, a scale, cash and typical packaging. A subsequent house search revealed alarming finds: around 500 grams of cocaine, various weapons as well as other drugs and material that were apparently intended for street sales were seized.

A total of four people were arrested, including the main suspect and three other people aged 16 to 21. The investigators assume that those arrested acquired narcotic drugs abroad and smuggled them into Austria. The estimated street value of the drugs discovered is up to 150,000 euros. All four people arrested were taken to the Klagenfurt prison, while two other juveniles were reported. These arrests are part of a larger pattern that was also recorded by the Salzburg police.

Drug trafficking in focus

Another example of activity in the drug environment is a recently uncovered drug trafficking network in Salzburg. Between April 2024 and April 2025, an investigation into a network was carried out, which resulted in several arrests. There were three men and two women who were involved in the machinations. A 43-year-old man, who is currently serving a prison sentence in Upper Austria, has been identified as the central mastermind. A 38-year-old from Pinzgau is considered a “major dealer” and is said to have sold not only significant amounts of cocaine, but also cannabis and amphetamine.

The drugs were supposed to be procured by middlemen in Colombia, which shows how international and organized these networks are. A suspected middlewoman was arrested at the airport in Colombia with two kilograms of cocaine at the beginning of April 2025 before she was able to return to Austria. The total value of the drugs detected is estimated at around 800,000 euros. Over 60 buyers were identified, which further underlines the extent of the drug trade.

Overall picture of drug crime

The Federal Ministry of the Interior's 2023 drug report documents a worrying increase in drug-related crimes. The numbers show a significant increase, especially post-Covid-19. A total of 35,445 reports were recorded under the Narcotic Drugs Act, which corresponds to an increase of 1.5% compared to 2022. The number of drug-related deaths also increased and reached 248. The most common addictive substances continue to be cannabis and cocaine, with cocaine entering Austria via the Balkan route and heroin being the most common illegal opioid in Europe.

In summary, the recent arrests and the information collected about drug trafficking in Austria demonstrate a clear need for action on the part of the authorities. The scale and international nature of drug-related crime represents an ongoing challenge that can only be combated through consistent and coordinated measures.