Drug and weapon smuggling: Villacher gang arrested!

Drug and weapon smuggling: Villacher gang arrested!

Villach, Österreich - On June 16, 2025, the authorities report on another big blow against drug trafficking in Austria. Investigations by the city police command Villach started in April against a 19-year-old Villacher. These led to a traffic control on June 14, in which the suspect was stopped. The officials found the vehicle, a scale, cash and scenic packaging in the vehicle. A subsequent house search revealed alarming finds: around 500 grams of cocaine, various weapons as well as other drugs and material, which was apparently intended for street sales, were ensured.

A total of four people were arrested, including the main suspect and three other people between the ages of 16 and 21. Investigators assume that the arrested wagons have acquired abroad and smuggled to Austria. The estimated road sales value of the discovered drugs is up to 150,000 euros. All four arrested were hospitalized to the Klagenfurt prison, while two other young people 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 the activities in the drug milieu is a recently uncovered drug dealer network in Salzburg. Between April 2024 and April 2025, an investigation into a network was carried out, which resulted in several arrests. These were three men and two women who were involved in the machinations. A 43-year-old man who is currently serving a prison in Upper Austria was identified as a central mastermind. A 38-year-old Pinzgauer is considered a "central large dealer" and is said to have not only sold considerable amounts of cocaine, but also cannabis and amphetamine.

The drugs should be procured by middlemen in Colombia, which illustrates how international and organized these networks are. A alleged mid -wife was arrested at the airport in Colombia in early April 2025 with two kilograms of cocaine before she was able to return to Austria. The value of the overall proven drugs is estimated at around 800,000 euros. Over 60 customers could be identified, which further underlines the dimension of drug trafficking.

overall picture of drug crime

The Supplementary Report 2023 of the Federal Ministry of the Interior documents a worrying increase in addictive offenses. Post-Covid-19 in particular show the numbers a significant increase. A total of 35,445 advertisements were recorded according to the Suntumer 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 addicts are still cannabis and cocaine, with cocaine coming to Austria via the Balkan route and heroin in Europe is considered the most common illegal opioid.

In summary, it can be said that the recent arrests and the information collected about drug trafficking in Austria illustrate a clear need for action on the part of the authorities. The extent and internationality of drug crime are a continued challenge that can only be combated by consistent and coordinated measures.