Drug War in Austria: Explanation of addictive crime explodes!

Drug War in Austria: Explanation of addictive crime explodes!

The current situation of addictive crime in Austria is worrying. In 2024, the police registered 37,310 ads in the field of addictive substances, which represents an increase of 5.3 percent compared to the previous year. The director of the Federal Criminal Police Office, Andreas Holzer, describes the numbers as high, but not as an all -time high. In particular, the increase in crimes by more than 10 percent and the significant increase in cocaine by 68.4 percent to a total of 259 kilograms make it clear that the drug problem in Austria remains complex. Cannabis remains the most frequently seized drug with around 2.5 tons.

The drug position is further tightened by market observation in Europe. According to the information [Exxpress.at] (https://exxpress.at/news/es-schneit-merein- and-das-30-grad-im-shadow/), there are particularly effects through synthetic opioids, which indicates an estimate of 30,000 to 50,000 risk-dependent in the area of ​​heroin and opioids. Despite a decline in Heroin by more than 50 percent due to a lower opium cultivation after the regime change in Afghanistan, the situation remains tense. Daniel Lichtenegger, drug coordinator in the Ministry of the Interior, notes that there is currently no large supplier for heroin.

Investigations and measures

The climbs of the ads are also the result of increased controls and focus campaigns, including against cryptomesse services. In April 2023, a group of perpetrators of Austrians, Serbs and Croatians was exposed, which built cannabis in two halls south of Vienna. Investigators ensured a ton of cannabis with a market value of 4.2 million euros. This group led to 13 people and to ensure 292,000 euros in cash, reported the bmi.gv.at.

The fighting of organized addictive crime is supported by AG Achilles, which has been working since 2021 and has gained valuable knowledge in cooperation with the FBI and DEA. A ton of addictive substances has been ensured since its foundation. In 2023, seven laboratories for the production of addictive drugs in every state except Burgenland and Vorarlberg were also discovered.

drug reporting and trends

The annual report on the drug situation in Austria, which is commissioned by the European observation center for drugs and drug addiction as well as the Ministry of Health, extensively deals with developments in terms of drug -related offenses and the epidemiological situation. The drug report 2024 focuses in particular on developments in 2023 and offers analyzes on drug markets and drug -related topics. The last updates of the report provide additional insights into the challenges with which society is confronted, as the increase in drug -related deaths from 235 to 248, mainly through mixed intertoxications with opiooids, reports [Social Ministry.gv.at] (https://www.socialministerium.gv.at/themen/gesundheit/drogen-undsucht/suchtmittellt-nps-nps-drogenausgstaufstoffe/bericht-und-statistiken/bericht-zur-drogensitung-in-in-in austria.html).