Vienna Airport confiscates hundreds of kilos of drugs with help from detection dog Jerry

A joint operation by Austrian police, customs and Vienna Airport officials has seized large drug shipments at the airport in 2026. 8.8 kg of heroin, 2 kg of cocaine, nearly 400 kg of cannabis, 151 kg of khat plants, 2.88 kg of methamphetamine, 2.34 kg of ketamine and 175 ecstasy tablets were intercepted. The effort resulted in 46 arrests, with 40 suspects placed in detention.

The operation relied heavily on specially trained drug‑detection dogs, most notably a canine named Jerry, which searches baggage, cargo and travelers. Authorities highlighted the airport’s role as a key hub for international drug smuggling and said the continued use of detection dogs is essential to disrupt trafficking networks. The 2026 figures follow 2025’s seizure of over 626 kg of cannabis, 7 kg of heroin, 4.1 kg of cocaine and more than 50 kg of ketamine, underscoring an ongoing high‑volume problem.

Police chief Franz Popp pledged to maintain rigorous controls and cooperation among agencies to keep the airport safe and to further curb cross‑border drug crime.