Two arrested as police foil major attempt to smuggle weapons and ammunition into Georgia

Officers from the Central Criminal Police Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA), in a joint operation with the Customs Department of the Revenue Service under the Ministry of Finance, have intercepted a large-scale attempt to smuggle firearms and ammunition into Georgia. Two individuals, one of whom is a foreign national, have been detained.

During searches of the suspects’ vehicles at the Sarpi Customs Checkpoint and the Economic Clearance Zone located at the Poti Port, law enforcement officers seized a substantial arsenal as evidence: nearly 500 rounds of live ammunition, two pneumatic airguns, over 2,000 bullet casings, approximately 900 projectiles, and 2.5 kilograms of gunpowder intended for firearm ammunition.

The investigation is being conducted under Articles 236, 19-236, and 19-214 of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which address the illegal possession, transportation, and smuggling of firearms and explosives. The offences carry a maximum penalty of up to nine years’ imprisonment.