Drug trafficking hits record high levels in Budapest: Video
In the last few weeks, the Budapest Police Force have conducted several large-scale drug raids, of which many were at different entertainment venues. Just this year, €735,000 worth of drugs have been seized in Budapest alone.
As reported by Origo, the police conducted larger scale raids around once a week. Between the 1st of January and 31st of March, the Budapest Police Force have arrested 69 dealers who are being prosecuted at the time writing.
During these raids, they seized 32.5kg of drugs, which mostly comprised of marijuana, heroin, cocaine, amphetamine and a new psychedelic drug.
“It is a top priority for the police to secure drug trafficking revenue and the items purchased with it, in addition to arresting the dealers and seizing their products,” a representative of Budapest Police Force told Origo.
Alongside cash and drugs, the police have also seized 6 cars (a Seat, a four-wheel drive Mitsubishi, 2 Volkswagens, an Audi, a Mercedes), a motorbike and jewellery.
Here, we provide an account of some of the most successful raids from this year.
The one with drugs worth up to €625,000
At the end of last year, the police identified a man who bought drugs in the Netherlands and sold them in Hungary with the help of his colleagues.
The drugs were hidden in the car by a 26-year-old mechanic, which was driven over the border by a 69-year-old lady. A 28-year-old man then guarded the drugs at a house located in District III.
The police caught the gang on the 12th of January when they removed the drugs from the car in an underground garage. They found 20kg of ecstasy and 1.1kg of cocaine. In the flat itself, they found a further 4.5kg of cocaine and nearly €300,000 worth of Forints.
The overall value of the whole raid was around €625,000. Subsequent investigations of gang members’ properties increased this total through the seizing of expensive items and luxury cars.
The one in the party district (Districts VI and VII)
The police also investigated various entertainment venues in Districts VI and VII. Here is a video of the raid:
They identified six drug addicts or people who possessed drugs. There was also one man who was not able to identify himself. They also inspected 61 Budapest taxis as well, of which two were reported.
The one where the drugs were sold in the office
The police found 25g of cocaine in an office worker’s car. Later, they also caught a 49-year-old man and his 23-year-old Syrian partner. Another migrant associate was subsequently caught in the office as well.
The office was later searched, where they found 500g of cocaine and 320g of hashish. In addition to drug-related equipment, €125,000 worth of cash and a luxury four-wheel drive car were also seized.
The one with the dealers on Hős Street
At the beginning of April, the police found drugs in nine flats on Hős Street with the help of detection dogs. Five men and two women were accused of the crime. One of them was taken to prison as an arrest warrant was issued against him.
Here is a video of the incident:
The one with the 47 dealers
On the 14th of April, 47 people were identified as possessing drugs during a raid. Chargers are being pressed against them at the time of writing.
We recently reported that a record number of police officers quit in 2018. We have also been following the police’s war on drugs.
Featured image: MTI.
Source: origo.hu, police.hu
