Georgian police arrest 121 in nationwide drug crackdown

Georgia's Interior Ministry on Wednesday announced the arrest of 121 individuals on drug-related charges following coordinated nationwide operations. Among those detained, 59 are suspected of involvement in drug trafficking.

During a press briefing, Davit Kiknadze, Director of the Central Criminal Police Department, stated that the suspects include both Georgian and foreign nationals.

He noted that, as part of the investigation, officers conducted multiple controlled narcotics purchases under court authorization, capturing the operations on audio and video.

“Following coordinated, nationwide operations, the Ministry of Internal Affairs arrested 121 individuals on drug-related charges, including 59 suspects involved in various forms of drug trafficking. The detainees include both Georgian and foreign nationals”, Kiknadze said.

Searches of the suspects' homes, vehicles, and personal belongings - combined with investigative experiments - led to the seizure of significant quantities of drugs and psychotropic substances intended for sale. Recovered items included methadone, Alpha-PVP, cocaine, ketamine, buprenorphine, marijuana, and various cannabis plants.

In addition to the narcotics, police seized drug packaging materials, electronic scales, and cash suspected to be proceeds from illicit sales.

Authorities have initiated proceedings under Articles 260, 260³, 260⁴, 261, and 265¹ of the Criminal Code of Georgia. These charges carry a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.

Kiknadze reaffirmed the Interior Ministry’s commitment to an uncompromising fight against drug-related crime. He noted that in the first six months of this year, nearly 5,000 individuals were prosecuted on drug-related charges, including approximately 1,000 suspected of drug trafficking. This figure represents an 85 percent increase in drug-related prosecutions compared to the same period last year.

“Police units will remain steadfast in applying the strictest legal measures available against anyone engaged in drug trafficking”, he concluded.