Seven arrested in Georgia on drug trafficking and narcotics charges

Georgia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs on Monday reported that officers from the Central Criminal Police Department had arrested seven individuals on charges of illegally purchasing and possessing particularly large quantities of narcotic substances, drug trafficking and facilitating the sale of narcotics, as well as illegally cultivating plants containing narcotic substances.

According to the investigation, the suspects were involved in drug distribution schemes. They allegedly concealed narcotics at pre-selected locations and then sent prospective buyers the coordinates and photographs identifying the hiding places.

Based on a court order, law enforcement officers conducted controlled purchases of narcotic substances from one of the detainees and covertly recorded the transactions using audio and video equipment.

One of the suspects was identified after officers intercepted a parcel addressed to the individual and seized a large quantity of narcotic substances from the package as evidence.

During searches of the suspects, their temporary residences and locations identified during the investigation, police seized particularly large quantities of various narcotic substances prepared for sale, including methadone, alpha-PVP, buprenorphine and marijuana, as well as cannabis plants.

Investigators also confiscated materials used for packaging narcotic substances.

The investigation is ongoing on charges of the illegal purchase and possession of particularly large quantities of narcotic substances, the illegal sale and facilitation of the sale of narcotics, and the illegal cultivation of plants containing narcotic substances. The offences are punishable by up to 20 years or life imprisonment.