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Austrian customs authorities at Vienna International Airport reported a dramatic increase in seizures during 2024, marking a record year for enforcement efforts. Officers confiscated 295 kilograms of cannabis, €3.3 million in undeclared cash, and more than 73,000 counterfeit items, underscoring growing challenges in cross-border smuggling and product piracy.
Customs agents conducted over 101,000 inspections of passengers, vehicles, parcels, and postal shipments at the airport and through mobile controls in Burgenland, resulting in 6,406 total seizures; a 6% hit rate, according to Heike Fetka-Blüthner, head of Austria’s Eastern Customs Office.
Seizures by Category: Sharp Increases Across the Board
- Drugs: Cannabis seizures quadrupled from 70kg in 2023 to 295kg. A significant cocaine bust in transit from São Paulo also drew attention.
- Cash: Undeclared currency rose from €1 million in 2023 to €3.3 million, including a single passenger bound for Istanbul caught with €700,000 concealed in luggage.
- Tobacco: Officers intercepted 1.6 million cigarettes and 15,000 cigars, nearly tripling the previous year’s figures.
- Counterfeits: Authorities seized 73,000+ fake goods with an estimated market value of €12 million, including phones, apparel, footwear, and over 4,500 plush toys lacking child safety standards.
- Other: Highlights included 14 live animals, 10 tonnes of animal products, and a Porsche Cayenne worth over €60,000 discovered during mobile checks.
State Secretary Barbara Eibinger-Miedl praised customs personnel:
“Our customs officers play a vital role in protecting domestic jobs, safety, and fair trade. The 2024 results speak volumes.”
Passenger Traffic Hits Historic High
Vienna Airport handled 31.6 million passengers in 2024, surpassing pre-COVID travel volumes. A record 113,000 travelers passed through on a single day in June, marking the airport’s busiest day ever.
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