Following operational and investigative measures conducted by the Investigation Service, evidence has been uncovered of the production and storage of large quantities of excise-free cigarettes intended for sale by companies owned by a person identified as V.M., a family member of the now-detained former Minister of Defence, Juansher Burchuladze.

According to the Investigation Service of the Ministry of Finance, the investigation revealed that V.M. established companies in 2023 and organised an illegal cigarette factory in Gori, where he produced excise-free tobacco products over several years. On September 19, 2025, the founder of the illegal enterprise, citizen V.A., along with director M.A. and security chief N.Ts., a former member of the Minister of Defence’s personal security team, were detained.

“During investigative actions, a total of 323,851 boxes of excise-free cigarettes branded ‘KARELIA’, with an estimated market value of GEL 2,176,341, prepared for sale, as well as cigarette manufacturing equipment and other production-related items, were seized from the factory and an adjacent warehouse,” the Investigation Service stated.

The probe is ongoing under Parts 3 and 4 of Article 200 of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which carries a potential prison sentence of 7 to 10 years.

“The investigation into this case is continuing intensively to identify and expose other individuals involved in organised criminal activity,” the Service added during the briefing.