A total of 121 people have been detained across Georgia on drug charges, including 59 individuals involved in various forms of drug distribution schemes, David Kiknadze, Director of the Central Criminal Police Department, announced at a press conference. The detainees include both Georgian citizens and foreign nationals.
“Based on court orders, the police carried out multiple controlled purchases of narcotics, as well as covert audio and video recording of these operations.
Also detained were individuals identified by law enforcement following special operations involving the substitution of packages sent under cover to their names. Particularly large quantities of narcotics were seized as physical evidence.
Searches of the suspects’ personal belongings, homes, and vehicles, along with investigative reconstructions, led to the discovery of particularly large quantities of narcotic and psychotropic substances prepared for sale, including methadone, alpha-PVP, cocaine, ketamine, buprenorphine, marijuana, and cannabis plants.
In addition, police seized drug packaging materials, electronic scales, and cash believed to have been obtained from drug sales,” Kiknadze stated.
The investigation is being conducted under Articles 260, 261, and 265 of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which carry penalties of up to 20 years in prison or life imprisonment.
According to the agency, during the first six months of this year, approximately 5,000 people were prosecuted in connection with drug offenses, with about 1,000 of them linked to various forms of drug distribution. Compared to the same period last year, the number of individuals prosecuted for drug-related crimes has increased by 85%.
