Georgian law enforcement agencies have detained 97 individuals linked to organized crime in Tbilisi and across the regions over the past 48 hours, including 81 suspects involved in drug dealing and large-scale narcotics schemes. Such a statement the Minister of Internal Affairs made at today’s briefing.

“As you know, the modern Georgian state and all of its law enforcement agencies have declared an uncompromising fight against organised crime, corruption, drug-related offenses, or any other type of crime that could in any way undermine Georgian statehood, harm Georgian society, or create problems for our future generations.

The persons arrested for drug distribution were selling narcotics to citizens through various methods and means. These included the use of internet applications, so-called hand-to-hand transactions, placement of drugs in specific locations. In order to identify drug dealers, our officers repeatedly carried out controlled drug purchases and covert audio and video recordings of these transactions, which confirm the criminal activities of the detainees.

Searches of the persons, vehicles, and residences of the drug offenders, as well as items recovered from locations indicated by them during investigative experiments, yielded exceptionally large quantities of various narcotic substances prepared for sale, including heroin, cocaine, alpha-PVP, Suboxone, buprenorphine, and others.

Authorities also recovered materials used for packaging and cultivation, along with cash believed to be proceeds from drug sales”, - said Geka Geladze.

He highlighted the arrest of a Latvian citizen at Tbilisi International Airport, who was allegedly attempting to bring more than half a kg of cocaine into Georgia.

The minister further disclosed that a clandestine narcotics laboratory had been uncovered in a residential flat in Tbilisi.

“Acting on operational intelligence, officers discovered a makeshift drugs laboratory in a residential flat in Tbilisi, where narcotic substances were being produced by hand. Two Iranian nationals have been arrested, and an exceptionally large quantity of narcotics has been seized, nearly half a kilogram of methamphetamine. Simultaneously, as part of a parallel police operation, a further 16 individuals have been detained. Searches of their persons, residential properties, outbuildings, and vehicles yielded dozens of firearms, automatic weapons, and hand grenades. The investigation is being conducted under Articles 236, 260, 260-ter, 260-quater, 262, and 265-bis of the Criminal Code, which carry sentences of up to 20 years or life imprisonment.

Once again, we categorically warn all potential criminals not to become part of our target groups, because for us there is no argument that will save a criminal from punishment. To the public, on behalf of the Government of Georgia and all law enforcement agencies, we promise that our country will be among the most successful in the world in terms of fighting crime”, - said Geka Geladze.