Arrested priest probably had meth lab at home

A priest arrested in Austria for drug offences may have produced crystal meth on his parsonage. Investigators seized drugs, precursors and laboratory equipment during a house search, ORF reported on Monday. "The accused is believed to have used them to produce methamphetamine in order to sell it afterwards," said the police.

The Polish priest was arrested last week in Lower Austria. On the same day, he was relieved of his duties by the diocese of St. Pölten. The priest was banned from any pastoral work in the diocese. The man is a priest of the diocese of Warsaw, which was also informed. The diocese plans to "take the necessary legal and canonical measures" soon, it said. The exact nature of these measures remained unclear.

The priest has been working in the Waldviertel for three years. The police tracked him down thanks to a tip-off from a parishioner. In addition to him, one other person is now in custody in connection with the case. (cph)