The Tyrolean police have succeeded in striking a blow against drug crime in the rocker scene. At a press conference on Friday, state police director Helmut Tomac, LKA head Katja Tersch and Hansjörg Mayr, spokesperson for the Innsbruck public prosecutor’s office, announced details. Accordingly, there were 18 arrests.
The rocker group “Bandidos” was targeted by investigators. Up to 150 kilos of cocaine are said to have been brought from Italy to the “Holy Land” during smuggling trips. A total of 18 arrests took place. In addition to a 37-year-old main suspect, eight other people have been taken into custody; the other suspects are said to be at large.
Street value nine million euros
Only 750 grams of cocaine was actually seized. However, 14 “transport trips” were proven. It is suspected that between 500 and 2,000 grams of cocaine were transported per journey. The LKA assumes that the system has been in existence for more than ten years. Manager Katja Tersch therefore assumes an illegally traded quantity of 150 kilograms of cocaine with a street value of nine million euros.
20 searches
According to public prosecutor spokesman Hansjörg Mayer, a tip came in in July 2023 that the ‘Bandidos’ group was making drug trips from Italy to Austria almost every week. As part of the investigation, 18 people were observed and 20 searches were carried out. In addition to the drugs, 8,000 euros in cash and several weapons and vehicles were also seized.
With this success in the investigation, a drug trade that had existed in Tyrol for years was discovered and ended, according to Director of the State Police Tomac. As a result, the executive prevented the rock group from “officially setting up a branch” in Tyrol.
Source: Krone
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