Seventy-five individuals have been detained on drug-related offences over the past 48 hours, Giorgi Sakhokia, Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs of Georgia, informed, adding that arrests include both Georgian citizens and foreigners.

Speaking at a briefing held at the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA), Sakhokia explained that those apprehended are accused of illegal purchase, possession, sale, and facilitation of the sale of large and particularly large quantities of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.

“The Ministry of Internal Affairs remains committed to rigorous measures against drug crimes, as stipulated by legislation. Law enforcement officers conducted another successful operation simultaneously in Tbilisi and across the regions.

In the last 48 hours, 75 suspects have been arrested on drug charges, including both locals and foreigners. The detainees are accused of illicitly purchasing, storing, selling, and facilitating the sale of substantial quantities of narcotics and psychotropic substances.

Evidence gathered through undercover investigations, authorised by a court order, such as audio and video recordings, confirmed that most of those detained were systematically involved in the sale of narcotics, employing various methods and channels.

During searches of personal belongings, vehicles, and residential properties of the suspects, law enforcement recovered a significant amount of different types of narcotics and psychotropic substances intended for distribution. The seized substances included: cocaine, heroin, Alpha PVP, MDMA, methadone, Subutex, buprenorphine, pregabalin (Lyrica), and marijuana.

Authorities also confiscated firearms, materials used for packaging drugs, and what is presumed to be proceeds from recent sales.

The investigation is ongoing under the Articles 260 and 261 of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which stipulates penalties of up to 20 years’ imprisonment or life imprisonment,” Sakhokia stated.