Austria’s government on Wednesday said it has made 81 of the more than 800 arrests that were part of a global sting against organised crime.
Austrian Interior Minister Karl Nehammer told a news conference that the operation was to deal a massive blow to organised crime and it succeeded.
He added that the gangs were involved in worldwide drug trafficking, arms trafficking and above all commit brutal acts of violence. About 35 weapons, 707 kg of drugs and 646,000 euros in cash were seized in 67 raids.
The operation by the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation, Australian and European police ensnared suspects in Australia, Asia, Europe, South America and the Middle East involved in the narcotics trade.
Those arrested in Austrian provinces ranging from Tyrol in the Alpine west to Vienna belonged to various groups and are suspected of offences ranging from drug trafficking to murder.
Director General for Public Security Franz Ruf said as part of the operation in which gangs were sold encrypted phones that law enforcement officials could monitor, Austrian police seized 30 kg of cocaine, 26 kg of heroin, 261 kg of cannabis resin and 390 kg of marijuana.
One of those arrested is a leader of a crime syndicate who is wanted for three murders in Serbia and was in hiding in Greece and Turkey before spending a matter of days in Vienna.
A Serbian wanted for international drug trafficking who is also a murder suspect in Serbia was also arrested.
Discover more from LN247
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
