A 38-year-old priest has been arrested in Austria for manufacturing methamphetamine, commonly known as "crystal meth," in the rectory of his parish. This event came to light following the arrest of the priest, who is of Polish origin, along with a 30-year-old Iraqi citizen residing in Vienna. Both are currently in pre-trial detention.
The priest had been serving in the Diocese of St. Pölten since 2021. Acting on a prosecutor's order, police raided the rectory where they discovered chemicals and laboratory equipment used for the manufacture of illegal drugs. Authorities suspect these substances were intended for sale.
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In response to this case, the Diocese of St. Pölten has suspended the priest from his duties and prohibited him from exercising any pastoral activity. The Archdiocese of Warsaw, with which the priest is affiliated, has been informed of the situation. A spokesperson for that archdiocese stated that appropriate legal and canonical measures would be taken in coordination with the Austrian diocese.
Initial investigations indicate that drug production was only in its early stages at the time of the authorities' intervention. Police inquiries are ongoing to determine the full extent of this matter.