Briefing of the Minister of Internal Affairs, Geka Geladze:
I would like to inform the public regarding another police operation carried out against illegal drug trafficking in Tbilisi and the regions of the country over the past 24 hours, as a result of which we have arrested 43 individuals accused of drug trafficking, preparation and attempted drug trafficking, as well as importing, purchasing and storing large quantities of narcotics into Georgia. Among the detainees are Georgian as well as foreign citizens.
As a result of operational and investigative measures carried out across the country, large and especially large quantities of narcotics have been seized as evidence from the locations indicated by the accused persons, as well as in the course of the personal search and search activities held in their vehicles and residential buildings.
The committed crimes envision up to 20 years of imprisonment or life imprisonment.
Evidence obtained by law enforcement officers clearly shows that the arrested persons used various Internet applications, social networks, and the so-called hand-to-hand selling method of drugs.
Based on the relevant Court decision, the police have repeatedly conducted the covert purchases of narcotics from persons arrested on charges of illegal drug trafficking and made secret audio and video recordings of the mentioned process.
Employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs along with its subordinate police units continue an intensive fight against illegal circulation of narcotics and implementation of complex measures to arrest those involved in illegal drug dealing throughout the country, in round-the-clock regime, for which I would like to thank each police officer!
