Five arrests

Residents are fed up with the coke dealers

The suspects are said to have sold drugs such as herbal cannabis (symbolic image)

(Bild: LPD Steiermark)

The residents have had enough. Because Nigerians were openly selling drugs in public at the Turmstraße and Unionkreuzung streetcar stops, residents complained to the police. With success: Linz police officers and investigators from the Provincial Criminal Police Office caught five suspected dealers.

The investigators lay in wait and were able to observe several deals carried out by two of the Africans within just half an hour. When a third joined them and the trio tried to leave by bus, the trap snapped shut. The three suspects were arrested and had narcotics and cash with them. The third suspect, who described himself as a "banker" and "collector", was caught with a four-figure sum.

Curious detail
 All three suspects claimed to be homeless and to be sleeping under a bridge. The police did not believe them, however, as they already knew where the Nigerians actually lived, namely in an apartment building in Flötzerweg. As they drove up there, they met another compatriot. This Nigerian tried to swallow a key during the check, but this was prevented.

The motive was quickly established 
200 grams of cocaine, ten grams of heroin and 200 grams of marijuana were found in his room. A fifth Nigerian was also arrested in the accommodation for drug trafficking. Most of the quintet confessed and were taken into custody.