78 kilograms of cocaine, packed in three sports bags, were recently seized by investigators from the Federal Criminal Police Office (BK) in Vienna-Simmering. A suspect, who had transported the drugs in a vehicle, was caught at the wheel and arrested. It is considered a significant blow to the illegal drug trade and “one of the largest cocaine seizures in Vienna in recent years,” it was stated on Wednesday.

The BK’s Organized Crime Unit, Balkan Department, had been investigating for some time. On March 21, members of the Cobra special task force observed the suspicious vehicle. In Leberstraße, the driver, a 49-year-old Austrian citizen residing in Austria, was stopped and checked. During the search of the cargo area, the officers discovered sports bags containing a total of 70 blocks of cocaine, each weighing around 1,100 grams.

Further Drugs Found at the Suspect’s Workplace

The total amount of cocaine seized from the vehicle amounted to a significant 78,209.7 grams. Later, on April 1, additional cocaine weighing 3,089.9 grams was found at the suspect’s workplace in the Bruck an der Leitha district. “The record seizure of a total of 81 kilograms of cocaine shows that investigations against organized crime in Austria are still successful despite a lack of powers,” said BK Director Andreas Holzer.

The drug transporter was arrested on the spot and later, by order of the Vienna Public Prosecutor’s Office, was taken to a correctional facility, although investigations are still ongoing. “For investigative reasons, further details about the person will be disclosed at a later time,” emphasized the BK.

During a search of the suspect’s residence after his arrest, 14,400 euros in cash were found. This is believed to be proceeds from the illegal drug trade.