Drug raids in Styria: Bang with torture and weapons smashed!

Drug raids in Styria: Bang with torture and weapons smashed!

In a large -scale raid, the Styrian police smashed a brutal drug cartel that has acted with various drugs for years. The nationwide operations with the names "Op Host" and "OP Caucasus" aimed at networks, which we honestly do nothing to massively influenced the drug scene in Styria. The investigators of the State Criminal Police Office (LKA) carried out the operations after references to rising drug trafficking in Upper Styria had been received. [Kleine Zeitung] (https://www.kleinezeitung.at/steiermark/19883743/ Fortter-Waffen-Tonenis- Drugen-steirische-Hob-Brutale-Bang) reports that the amounts of drugs are impressive: up to 1.5 tons of cannabis, 11.5 kilos of cocaine, 10 kg cannabisharz and 250 gramm Amphetamines could be ensured.

It's not just the drugs that shock. The perpetrators' willingness to use violence is also high. The investigators have documented that torture and assault were common means of intimidation. On seized cell phones, videos of abuse were found that draw a cruel picture of the situation. 42 suspects were arrested, mainly between the ages of 16 and 24 and mainly from the Murtal and Bruck Mürzzuschlag districts. [KURIER] (https://kurier.at/chronik/steiermark/drogen-razzia-stiermark-Waffen- Forter- Operation-Kaukasus/403056713) points out that the drugs have been smuggled into the country for at least six years, often in large quantities over truck and coaches from Kosovo, Spain, Germany and Slovenia.

background of drug crime

The main suspects come from Chechnya and the Balkans and sometimes even led their business out of prison. A 30-year-old is said to have played a central role here. This link between drug trafficking and organized crime suggests a far -reaching network that could continue to be a major problem in the future. International connections to drug suppliers were also visible as part of the "Caucasus" operation, in which Moroccan drug suppliers were targeted. The drugs were then distributed in luxury hotels and airbnb systems in Austria. [Kleine Zeitung] (https://www.kleinezeitung.at/steiermark/19883743/ Fortter-Waffen-Tonnen-swehr-steirische-poli-Hob-Brutale-Bang) reports that some suspects are also related to rocker groups.

The terrifying truth is that young people act as part of this drug gang and are often even armed. The documentation of use of violence against drug users shows that coercion and threats are widespread. These shocking developments are also highlighted in the annual report on the drug situation in Austria, which is commissioned by the European Observatory for Drugs and Drugs Addiction and the Ministry of Health. The current report provides information about the epidemiological situation and deals with developments in relation to drug markets and legal measures to combat drug crime. Information can be found on the website of the [Federal Ministry of Health] (https://www.social ministerium.gv.at/themen/gesundheit/drogen-undsucht/suchtmittellt-nps-nps-Drogen outfit/berichten-und-undstatistiken/berichten-zur-drogensteit-in-%96 Austria).

With the destruction of such a powerful drug ring, the Styrian police may have taken an important step in the fight against drug crime. Nevertheless: The missions show that this struggle is far from over and the dangers from the drug scene are more acute than many think. Shocking conditions and unexpected turns, there is really something and the police have all their hands full.