Over 200 charges

21-year-old documented drug parties with videos

(Bild: APA/Helmut Fohringer)

In the course of drug investigations, Styrian police officers seized the cell phone of a Romanian man. This turned out to be a real goldmine: more than 1000 videos document not only the sale of narcotics to minors, but also excessive drug parties and crimes in south-eastern Styria. 

The cell phone of a 21-year-old Romanian living in the district of south-eastern Styria has turned out to be a real "gift" for the police: In September last year, officers from the Halbenrain police station seized the cell phone in the course of narcotics investigations. The man, who was already known to the police, was suspected of having sold large quantities of cocaine, ketamine, ecstasy and marijuana, mainly to minors.

Drug parties lasting several days
The analysis of more than 1000 cell phone videos revealed unbelievable things: excessive drug parties were documented on hundreds of videos, some of which lasted several days and even ended in hospital for one of the participants. The sale of narcotics was also recorded. In this context alone, 25 suspects were investigated. 

Physical assaults also filmed
But that was not all: the videos also showed numerous other crimes - from assault to coercion. One clip documented how suspects let the air out of the tires of a police car.

Driving under the influence of drugs 
In addition, there are around 70 recordings in which the 21-year-old filmed himself apparently driving under the influence of drugs - even though he does not have a driver's license. Other videos show suspects speeding through local areas at 120 km/h. 

So far, the investigations have led to around 30 suspects as a result of the video evaluations, and more than 200 charges have been issued.