"Like Zombies" - Trial over Drugs in Champagne Bottles - "Like Zombies" - Trial over Drugs in Champagne Bottles
A night out in Weiden turned deadly when a group of friends drank champagne laced with MDMA. One man died, and seven others suffered severe injuries after consuming the tainted drink on 13 February 2022. The incident has now led to a trial at the Weiden Regional Court, where a 46-year-old Dutch man faces serious charges.
The tragedy began when a stolen champagne bottle, filled with liquid MDMA instead of alcohol, ended up in a Weiden restaurant. The bottle had been taken from a warehouse linked to a drug production ring. After drinking it, victims quickly showed terrifying symptoms: delusions, violent convulsions, muscle tremors, and loss of consciousness.
Nicole Bock, a witness, described the scene as horrifying, with victims 'moving like zombies' before collapsing. Carola Potrz suffered lasting damage, including a brain haemorrhage, and now relies on a wheelchair, unable to work. Investigators later traced the bottle back to Theo G., a Dutch national accused of running an organised MDMA operation. Prosecutors claim Theo G. and his group used champagne bottles to disguise and distribute the drug. He now stands trial for negligent homicide and organised drug trafficking. The case centres on whether his actions directly caused the fatal poisoning and the life-altering injuries of the survivors.
The trial will determine Theo G.’s responsibility for the contaminated champagne and its consequences. One victim has died, while others, like Carola Potrz, face permanent disabilities. The court’s decision may also reveal how the dangerous bottle reached the restaurant in the first place.
