Two sniffer dogs helped customs officers uncover 14 kilograms of cocaine worth €1.5 million hidden in a wheelchair in mid-July, police announced on Saturday.

The discovery occurred in the early hours of 14 July, according to a press release from the Lower Austria Provincial Police Directorate. Two dogs – Utz, from the airport customs office, and police service dog Pitt vom Taffatal – led officers to the haul concealed within the seat and backrest of an electric wheelchair belonging to a 39-year-old Venezuelan national, who had travelled to Austria from Brazil.

The man was being assisted by the airport’s wheelchair service. Although the Venezuelan was able to produce detailed documentation describing medical examinations and treatments supposedly scheduled in Vienna, the officers didn’t believe him.

It later emerged that the suspect was not dependent on a wheelchair and only used it as a disguise. He eventually confessed during questioning and was subsequently taken to Korneuburg prison.