As a result of operative-searching and investigative activities, employees of the Investigation Service of Ministry of Finance of Georgia detained two Georgian citizens on the fact of group storage of a particularly large quantity of excisable goods subject to marking, without excise marks.

Investigation determined that the accused, with the intent of further sale and to gain illicit material benefit, illegally stored a total of 40,600 boxes of non-excise cigarettes branded "Platinum", "Manchester", "Winston" and "Kent" in various locations in Tbilisi, following concealment measures, including in a garage in their possession. The total market value of the cigarettes exceeds GEL 235 000.

Investigation is underway under Parts 2 and 3 of Article 200 of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which envisages imprisonment from six to eight years.

Investigation Service continues its intensive efforts to identify and expose other persons who may be involved in the criminal scheme.