Ten people in custody

Smuggler engages in wild chase

Wild scenes unfolded at the border crossing in Völkermarkt on Tuesday evening. A smuggler sped away from the Slovenian and Carinthian police, triggering a large-scale search operation and chase. 

A horn blast on Slovenian territory alerted the Carinthian police on Tuesday evening. Suddenly, a car with a German license plate sped past the police officers in the direction of Carinthia - followed by Slovenian officers.

The Carinthian colleagues immediately took up the chase, speeding after the initially unknown man through several districts until they finally arrived in Klagenfurt. "The man was unstoppable. We then arranged for the A2 Südautobahn to be closed. In the meantime, the police helicopter was also deployed," the emergency services explain. 

On the run on foot
Because the driver was unable to continue, he left the highway, drove off at the airport and headed towards St. Georgen am Sandhof. He stopped his vehicle there and fled on foot. The final stop was in a barn. The police were able to find the 30-year-old man from Moldova hiding under junk. He was arrested immediately. 

Nine Turkish occupants discovered
There were nine Turkish nationals aged between five and 40 in his car. The handcuffs also clicked for them.