Drug ring busted – children now safe
Police have smashed a major drug ring and placed children who were in danger into safety.
The operation targeted a criminal network that was running drug activities in close proximity to residential areas. According to authorities, minors were living in or regularly present at locations linked to the dealers. After raids and arrests, the children have now been taken into protective custody and are being cared for by social services.
Investigators say the gang used ordinary flats and houses to store and distribute drugs. The proximity to playgrounds and schools raised immediate alarm for police and the Youth Welfare Office. Officials stress that removing the children was the top priority once the scale of the operation became clear.
Several suspects were arrested during coordinated raids. Police seized drugs, cash, and evidence of dealing. The exact substances and quantities have not been fully disclosed yet, as the investigation is ongoing. Authorities are also checking whether the children were directly exposed to drugs or used to help conceal them.
Child protection experts welcomed the intervention. "When a drug ring operates where families live, the risk to children is enormous," one official said. Social workers are now supporting the affected children and working with the families.
Police said further arrests are possible. The case has reignited debate in Austria about drug crime in residential neighborhoods and the need for faster action when minors are at risk.