Investigators uncover cocaine and cannabis trade in Upper Austria

Months of investigations have uncovered an extensive cocaine and cannabis trade in Upper Austria and Salzburg, ORF reported. Two men, aged 23 and 50, have been arrested and placed in pre-trial detention. Investigators identified about 55 buyers.

The 50-year-old, a Hungarian citizen, is suspected of selling cocaine and cannabis for profit since 2022. He allegedly sourced cocaine mainly from suppliers in Upper Austria. Investigators also traced the import of about 150 grams of cocaine from Hungary. He is said to have received marijuana from a woman in Salzburg, where handovers also took place.

The drugs were sold mainly in the Ried and Grieskirchen districts of Upper Austria. The 23-year-old from Ried district initially bought cocaine from the older suspect, then joined him in selling it from October 2025. The older man allegedly handled procurement and organisation, while the younger man resold drugs through his contacts.

Investigators attribute about two kilograms of cocaine and three kilograms of cannabis to the 50-year-old. The 23-year-old partially admitted selling about 640 grams of cocaine, some of it with his alleged accomplice. Searches uncovered further evidence. Both men admitted key allegations during questioning and were taken to Ried prison.

The alleged marijuana supplier from Salzburg has also been placed in pre-trial detention. The investigation uncovered indications of other, partly unrelated drug offences in several Upper Austrian districts, leading to further proceedings and arrests. Some of those suspects have also been placed in pre-trial detention.