Austrian Priest Arrested for Meth Lab

A 38-year-old Polish Catholic priest was arrested for operating a methamphetamine lab in his parish rectory in Austria, drawing comparisons to the TV show 'Breaking Bad.' Authorities raided the rectory after receiving a tip, seizing chemicals and equipment, and suspect that the drugs were intended for sale. The priest, who had been serving in the Diocese of St. Pölten since 2021, admitted to producing the drug, and was arrested along with a 30-year-old Iraqi citizen. Following the incident, church officials suspended the priest and stated they would coordinate with the Archdiocese of Warsaw for further actions. This incident echoes a similar case involving a Methodist pastor in Connecticut who was arrested for dealing crystal meth out of his church. Both suspects are currently in pretrial detention as investigations continue.