Large drug network in Salzburg: Five arrests and worth millions!

Large drug network in Salzburg: Five arrests and worth millions!

An extensive drug trafficking network was uncovered in Salzburg and was observed by the authorities for over a year. Police noted on June 12, 2025 that at least five people were arrested for drug trafficking between April 2024 and April 2025. This was done under the direction of the Zell am See drug group in cooperation with the Salzburg State Criminal Police Office. The investigation led to a central suspect, a 38-year-old man from Pinzgau, who is accused of selling significant quantities of illegal drugs. According to the findings of 5min.at and sn.at, his trafficking included at least 800 grams of cocaine and several kilos of cannabis and amphetamine.

In addition to the arrest of the 38-year-old, the police also identified a 58-year-old woman from Linz who was responsible for the delivery of at least four kilos of cannabis. Two 32-year-old men from Pinzgau who acted as middlemen also came into focus. While one of them was offering drugs in large quantities, the other was suspected of trafficking at least a kilo of cocaine, speed and cannabis. Numerous electronic devices were seized during house searches, the analysis of which led to further findings.

Drug smuggling through international networks

An interesting aspect of the investigation was the connection to a 42-year-old Austrian who is currently serving a prison sentence in Upper Austria. He was identified as the mastermind who ordered cocaine through intermediaries in Colombia. The 38-year-old suspect is said to have requested two kilos of cocaine from him, which was ultimately smuggled by a 36-year-old woman from Flachgau on behalf of the prisoner. This woman was arrested with the drugs when she returned to Austria.

In total, the investigators were able to detect around seven kilos of cocaine, ten kilos of cannabis and several kilos of amphetamine, which leads to an estimated sales value of around 800,000 euros. Over 60 customers were identified and reported during the investigation. However, some drug trips have failed due to organizational difficulties in Colombia, highlighting the complexity and risk of international drug trafficking.

Current drug situation in Austria

The 2024 drug report from the Austrian Ministry of Health, which covers the situation in 2023, is also dedicated to developments in drug trafficking and drug crime in Austria. A central aspect of the reporting is the corresponding measures to reduce the demand for drugs. The annual reports are commissioned by the European Monitoring Center for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) and the Ministry of Health and provide comprehensive insights into the drug market and its impact on society. The 2024 drug report, like previous reports, is available as a PDF and also deals with the legal framework regarding drug offenses.