Law enforcement officers have seized up to 33 kg of drugs, with an estimated black-market value of GEL 6 million, and arrested 2 foreign nationals in Rustavi.

According to David Kiknadze, Director of the Central Criminal Police Department of the Interior Ministry, officers had seized up to 33 kg of "Hashish" from a residential apartment used by one of the suspects. Part of the drugs had been concealed inside car tires at the apartment.

"Police also seized particularly large quantities of cocaine, heroin and methadone from another apartment belonging to the suspects and from a hotel room in Rustavi.

The investigation established that the two suspects were acting together and had planned to distribute the drugs using various methods. Their plans were thwarted following an operational response by law enforcement officers.

In addition to the 2 foreign nationals, police arrested 24 more people in Tbilisi and other regions over the past several days as part of intensive operations targeting drug-related crimes. 15 of those arrested were involved in drug distribution in various ways. The suspects used internet applications, direct hand-to-hand transfers and the concealment of drugs at designated locations.

Law enforcers seized various types of drugs prepared for distribution in particularly large quantities, materials used for packaging narcotics and cash. Specially equipped greenhouses used for the illegal cultivation of large quantities of narcotic substances were also uncovered.

The investigation is ongoing, with the charges carrying penalties of up to 20 years in prison or life imprisonment.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs continues to actively carry out comprehensive measures to prevent the illegal import and distribution of narcotic drugs in the country", - said David Kiknadze.