Only 21 years old

Suspected head of trafficking gang caught

The mastermind behind numerous smuggling operations is said to have been caught by officers (symbolic image).

(Bild: Christian schulter, Krone KREATIV)

A big fish is said to have been caught in the net. As has only now become known, a 21-year-old man was arrested in Bregenz on June 17 following investigations by the Upper Austrian Criminal Police Office on the orders of the Ried public prosecutor's office. He is heavily incriminated by two drivers for hauling at least 141 people.

"Rido Kurdi": The person behind this synonym has illegally smuggled at least 141 people across Austrian borders since last summer. As has now become known, an arrest had already been made in Bregenz on June 17: According to investigations by the LKA Upper Austria, a 21-year-old Turkish man is said to be the head of an extensive smuggling gang, or rather a criminal organization. 

If someone is involved in a criminal organization, they are usually reluctant to provide information because they would have to incriminate those behind it.

Alois Ebner, Staatsanwaltschaft Ried

Apprehension in Upper Austria provided the impetus
"The case got rolling when a refugee was apprehended in Upper Austria last year," reports Alois Ebner from the public prosecutor's office in Ried im Innkreis, which played a key role in the arrest together with the Upper Austrian Criminal Police Office. "The investigations ultimately uncovered numerous other smuggling trips. If someone is involved in a criminal organization, they are usually reluctant to provide information because they would have to incriminate those behind the scenes," says Alois Ebner.

Heavily incriminated by drivers
The young man was arrested in mid-June by order of the public prosecutor's office in Ried after two trafficker drivers (43, 52) had seriously incriminated him. A third driver has also already been taken into custody. The Turkish man, who was staying in Austria illegally, was living on irregular financial support from his family, according to his own statements. On social media, however, he had bragged about his expensive lifestyle.

Not confessing
The 21-year-old denied the allegations. Investigations into the criminal organization are still ongoing.