"Breaking Bad" in Lower Austria

Suspected drug offender: Priest from Lower Austria remanded in custody

In Lower Austria, a priest is suspected of using crystal meth together with a second person.(Bild: Krone KREATIV/stock.adobe.com (2))

"Breaking Bad" in the Waldviertel, and on church grounds: In Lower Austria, a priest (38) is suspected of having produced crystal meth together with a second person. Both are now in custody.

The 38-year-old is suspected of producing methamphetamine for resale, the provincial police headquarters confirmed on Monday. A second suspect is also in custody.

Raid in the vicarage
According to police spokesman Stefan Loidl, a house search ordered by the Krems public prosecutor's office was carried out at the vicarage in question. Drug precursors and laboratory equipment were discovered and seized.

There was no further official information regarding the second suspect. The public prosecutor's office in Krems merely confirmed that two people are in custody in the case.

Operating in Lower Austria since 2021
The case came to light the previous week. The priest was "immediately relieved of his duties in the diocese of St. Pölten" and "prohibited from any pastoral activity in the diocese", according to a statement from the diocese of St. Pölten.

The man of God is a priest of the Archdiocese of Warsaw and has been working in the diocese of St. Pölten since 2021.