A bizarre trial

Police officer investigated himself

The former partners partially confessed

(Bild: Wenzel Markus)

A police officer and his ex-girlfriend are alleged to have ordered and distributed large quantities of drugs on the darknet in Upper Austria. In addition, the police officer is said to have investigated his own drug supply. In addition, there is forgery of documents, passing on police files and possession of a pornographic image of a minor.

He is a police officer at a post plagued by staff shortages, she is a qualified psychiatric nurse. In addition to heavy workloads and several "clients", the two also shared a preferred method of stress relief: the 34-year-old is said to have ordered two kilos of amphetamine and around 200 grams of ecstasy on the darknet for himself and his wife as well as family members and acquaintances between 2017 and 2023. The 34-year-old and the 31-year-old had to answer to the Wels Regional Court on Monday. "I am very sorry, and I am aware of how catastrophic the media reports about a police officer importing drugs are," said the defendant.

Interference in investigations
Even more explosive: A mailing under a false name to the home address of the now suspended officer blew up. The police officer took over the investigation himself and then, according to the public prosecutor, replaced the confiscated drugs with creatine powder, a legal muscle-building agent, on the way to the detention center. He even ordered a package of drugs to be sent to a mailbox at his own office.

Treacherous chats
The public prosecutor's office identified numerous orders on the basis of chats. In the same way, transfers of "Red Bull" standing for ecstasy or meetings for "snacking" (amphetamine) also came to light. In addition, there was often talk of postal items, especially when another package had been intercepted. There was also talk of cans, bags, deliveries and collections. 

Numerous charges
There were also other charges: For example, chats had been seized in which personal details or even entire files had been sent by the police officer to his ex and other acquaintances. The police officer had also falsified a driving license loss confirmation for his brother, who had had to give up his driving license due to drugs, as well as some coronavirus documents. Finally, the leaked police internals also included a nude photo of a minor. 

Both partially confessed
The two confessed to some of the charges, but not to others. According to the defense lawyers, they were addicted and had ordered for themselves. However, the judge had doubts about their personal use: too often the two could not remember, refused to answer and denied accusations until the judge presented evidence. A verdict is due to be reached on May 28, when around ten witnesses will be heard.