A 29-year-old tax official in Vienna was convicted on Tuesday at the Regional Court for drug trafficking and preparation to traffic drugs. From December 2023 until his arrest on December 9 of the same year, the man sold approximately 160 grams of cocaine and 4.1 kilograms of cannabis and marijuana. He was sentenced to 15 months of unconditional imprisonment under Austria’s Narcotics Act. The verdict is not yet legally binding.
The man, who worked as a tax auditor for the Ministry of Finance, claimed he turned to drugs after suffering from a serious illness. He began using drugs, but was eventually unable to afford the habit on his income. This led him to start dealing. The cocaine he sold for €100 per gram was of very high quality, with a purity level of 80.2%.
Second Car and “Bunker Apartment” for Drug Operations
To support his illegal business, the man purchased a second car and rented what he called a “bunker apartment” specifically for drug transactions. Authorities tracked him down after he offered cocaine to an undercover police officer. During the sting operation, he arrived with a hollowed-out book containing five grams of cocaine and was immediately arrested.
Represented by defense attorney Nikolaus Rast, the defendant stated, “It’s no joke living with an illness.” His difficult personal situation and lack of prior convictions were considered mitigating factors in sentencing. Authorities also seized €9,500 in cash found in his possession, which was declared to be proceeds from drug sales. The vehicle used in the drug deals was also confiscated.
After consultation with his lawyer, the defendant accepted the sentence. Upon serving his prison term, he will need to find new employment, having lost his job with the Ministry of Finance. The prosecutor made no statement regarding the verdict.
