Georgian authorities seize 200 kilograms of heroin in major drug bust

Officers from the Central Criminal Police and the Patrol Police Departments of the Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs, together with the Investigative Service of the Ministry of Finance and the Customs Department of the Revenue Service, have confiscated an especially large quantity of heroin - 200 kilograms.

Aleksandre Darakhvelidze, the Deputy Interior Minister of Georgia, noted that the estimated value of the seized narcotics on the so‑called black market exceeds $50 million.

A citizen of Iran, born in 1989, was arrested in connection with the case. Law enforcement officers discovered and confiscated eight sacks hidden inside a truck loaded with “fish feed”, which contained the heroin. Evidence confirms that the truck entered Georgia from Iran via Azerbaijan through the “Tsiteli Khidi” border crossing.

Darakhvelidze further noted that investigative actions were ongoing to identify other individuals potentially involved in the crime and to hold them accountable.

“We will continue relevant investigative actions to identify other individuals potentially involved in the crime and to bring them to criminal responsibility. The crime provides for imprisonment of up to 20 years or life imprisonment”, Darakhvelidze concluded.