50 arrested in large-scale anti-drug operation across Georgia

The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia has detained 50 individuals, most of whom are drug dealers, following a large-scale police operation carried out as part of the country’s ongoing efforts to combat drug-related crime.

Aleksandre Darakhvelidze, the Deputy Interior Minister of Georgia, on Friday said the operation had been conducted on the basis of court warrants by officers of the Central Criminal Police Department, as well as units from Tbilisi, Kakheti, Adjara, Imereti, Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti, Guria and the Patrol Police Department.

Darakhvelidze noted that both Georgian and foreign nationals were among those detained.

“In recent days, law enforcement officers have detained 50 individuals on drug-related charges. Most of them are drug dealers. A particularly large amount of various narcotic and psychotropic substances has been seized”, Darakhvelidze said.

“The suspects are charged with the illegal purchase, possession, sale or facilitation of the sale of large and especially large quantities of narcotic and psychotropic substances. The offences are punishable by up to 20 years or life imprisonment”, the Deputy Minister continued.

Darakhvelidze further noted that covert investigative measures, including audio and video recordings, confirmed that most of the detainees were involved in drug distribution through various methods.

Police seized multiple types of narcotic and psychotropic substances prepared for sale during searches of the suspects’ homes and personal belongings, as well as from locations identified during investigative experiments. Officers also confiscated packaging materials, illegally sold drugs, and money allegedly obtained from drug sales.