Georgian police arrest 135 people on drug-related charges, including 55 drug dealers

Law enforcement officers have arrested 135 people on drug-related charges across Georgia, including 55 individuals involved in drug trafficking in various forms, said on Thursday David Kiknadze, the Director of the Central Criminal Police Department.

According to Kiknadze, the uncompromising fight against drug-related crime remains one of the Georgian Interior Ministry’s main priorities.

“Law enforcement officers are carrying out comprehensive police and preventive measures continuously across the country in this direction”, he said.

He said the arrests followed operational and investigative measures conducted in Tbilisi and various regions of Georgia over the past several days. Both Georgian and foreign nationals are among those detained.

The investigation established that the detainees used various methods to distribute drugs. Acting on court warrants, law enforcement officers conducted multiple controlled purchases of narcotic substances, which were covertly recorded on audio and video.

“During searches of the detainees, their vehicles and residences, as well as at locations they identified, police seized particularly large quantities of various narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances as evidence. Police also seized money allegedly obtained through the illegal sale of narcotic drugs, along with firearms allegedly acquired illegally”, he said.

The investigation is being conducted under several articles of the Criminal Code of Georgia, with the charges carrying penalties of up to 20 years in prison or life imprisonment.

“The Interior Ministry continues its efforts to identify drug dealers and individuals involved in the illicit circulation of narcotic substances. To prevent the illegal import and distribution of drugs, police, in close coordination with other relevant law enforcement agencies, are maintaining strict control over Georgia’s land, maritime and air borders. Any person involved in the illicit circulation of narcotic substances, drug trafficking or facilitating such activities will be punished to the full extent of the law”, he concluded.