MIA: 298 kilograms of heroin seized, worth approximately 85 million GEL on the black market
"Law enforcement officers have seized 298 kilograms of the narcotic substance heroin, which is worth approximately 85 million GEL on the so-called black market," said Georgia’s Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs, Aleksandre Darakhvelidze, during a briefing.
According to him, a Georgian citizen has been arrested on charges of illegal purchase, possession, and import of a narcotic substance into Georgia in especially large quantities.
"We would like to inform the public about an unprecedented case of international drug trafficking uncovered by the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia.
Law enforcement officers have seized 298 kilograms of heroin, with a black market value of approximately 85 million GEL.
A Georgian citizen has been detained on charges of illegal acquisition, possession, and smuggling of the drug into the country in especially large quantities.
The investigation established that a cargo truck, which according to customs documentation was carrying fireproof bricks, entered Georgia from the Republic of Armenia through the ‘Guguti’ customs checkpoint and was supposed to travel through Batumi on its way to Europe.
While inspecting the trailer in the economic clearance zone, law enforcement officers discovered 600 plastic containers designed to look like bricks.
Inside these containers, 298 kilograms of heroin were secretly hidden.
This unprecedented case of international drug trafficking was uncovered as a result of complex operational measures and investigative actions carried out by officers from the Central Criminal Police Department, the Patrol Police Department, the Prosecutor General’s Office, and the Customs Department of the Revenue Service of the Ministry of Finance.
Law enforcement continues to carry out intensive operations aimed at identifying and prosecuting other individuals involved in this drug trafficking scheme.
The investigation is being conducted under Articles 260 and 262 of the Criminal Code of Georgia. The offense is punishable by up to 20 years or life imprisonment," said Darakhvelidze.
