Law enforcement authorities have confiscated up to 20 illegal firearms and significant quantities of ammunition across Georgia over the past week.

According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA), officers from the Patrol Police, Tbilisi Police, as well as the police departments of Guria, Kvemo Kartli, and Shida Kartli, have arrested 13 individuals on charges of illegal possession, acquisition, and carrying of firearms and ammunition, some of whom have prior convictions.

“During searches of the suspects’ personal residences, auxiliary storage facilities, and vehicles, police recovered various types of automatic weapons, rifles, and ammunition as evidence. Such crimes carry a penalty of up to seven years’ imprisonment.

The investigation is ongoing under Parts 1, 3, and 4 of Article 236 of the Criminal Code of Georgia. All relevant units of the Ministry of Internal Affairs are continuing their efforts to combat crime and are conducting preventive measures nationwide around the clock to ensure as safe an environment as possible,” the statement from the Ministry reads.