Smuggling is booming: criminals make a lot of money from the misery of the people. The researchers demand new hotspots and routes. The series “Krone” provides insight into the work of the criminal investigation department of Lower Austria. This time, detectives report on ever-evolving human trafficking challenges.
Locked up like animals, without food or drink, sometimes even the air to breathe is lacking. The road to a new life for refugees often begins with a terrible martyrdom. Yet the human smuggling detectives have their hands full. The number of people smugglers has been increasing enormously for years. “It is now mainly about Bengalis, Syrians and Pakistanis,” said Chief Inspector Wolfgang Kunter, head of the human trafficking investigation department.
Massive increase in smuggling
Recently, 15 refugees were picked up in the St. Pölten area. The hope for a better life has been driving more and more people to Austria for years. A large part of them travel on to France or Italy. After the record year 2015 with more than 9700 reports, the number of crimes after the lockdown years almost reached a record level again with almost 9200 reports across Austria.
The lenders – organized gangs abroad operating as corporations – sense big business and make a lot of money from the misery of the refugees. The investigation team of the National Criminal Investigation Department (LKA) is hot on their heels.
The investigations are difficult and time consuming. The escape itself is often life-threatening. “Suffocation attacks in airtight trucks are not uncommon. The getaway cars are also often in a terrible state,’ explains the chief inspector. The fear of death is written on the face of many refugees.
pilot project is underway
A pilot project has recently been launched in the fight against organized crime. Since the beginning of the year, young colleagues in the districts have been trained by LKA specialists, so that they can react quickly on the spot as an “extended arm” of the detectives.
From prostitution to gang crime
The detectives also see a current boom in commercial love – which is increasingly shifting to the daily routine and therefore to brothels. The “quick money” even propelled a 79-year-old to a later career path. “You can find everything in the red light district,” says Kunter. Much is shifting to the private sphere or to the internet – which entails more dangers for the girls.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
