“Officials from the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) have seized illegal firearms and ammunition in Tbilisi and several regions following recent operational measures and investigative actions,” a statement from the Ministry reads.

The agency has reported the detention of nine individuals in connection with these activities.

“The crime is punishable by a prison sentence of up to seven years,” the Ministry stated.

Officers from the Didube-Chughureti Main Division of the Tbilisi Police Department apprehended I.N., born in 1988, who has a prior conviction. Following a judge’s ruling, law enforcement officials seized a pistol, a magazine, and 12 rounds of ammunition during a search of the suspect’s residence.

In the Kakheti region, investigators from the Lagodekhi, Kvareli, Dedoplistskaro, and Sagarejo District Divisions detained four individuals: D.B. (born in 1989), who has a prior conviction; Z.M. (born in 1979); D.Sh. (born in 1974); and E.V. (born in 1973). During searches conducted, the authorities recovered the following items: three pistols, one automatic firearm, one sawed-off hunting rifle, four magazines, 77 rounds of ammunition, and one hand grenade.

Officers from the Adjara Police Department seized a pistol, 41 rounds of ammunition, and a magazine during a search of the personal and temporary residence of foreign national A.O., born in 1976.

Additionally, the same department arrested O.E., born in 1972, who has multiple prior convictions, and confiscated a firearm, 15 rounds of ammunition, and a magazine during a personal search.

In Marneuli, officers from the Marneuli District Division of the Kvemo Kartli Police Department recovered a firearm, 10 rounds of ammunition, and a magazine during a search of the temporary residence of foreign national D.H., born in 2001.

Officers from the Detective Division of the Shida Kartli Police Department detained G.A., born in 1984, as a result of investigative actions. Police confiscated a pistol, a magazine, and 15 rounds of ammunition as evidence during a personal search of the suspect.

According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, an investigation into the illegal acquisition, storage, and carrying of firearms and ammunition is currently underway under Article 236, Parts 3 and 4 of the Criminal Code of Georgia.