Law enforcement officers have detained a 39-year-old citizen of the Islamic Republic of Iran for importing 200 kilograms of heroin into Georgia.

As Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Aleksandre Darakhvelidze stated the a briefing at the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the value of the seized narcotics on the black market exceeds 50 million dollars.

“Employees of the Central Criminal Police and Patrol Police Departments of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia, together with employees of the Investigation Service of the Ministry of Finance and the Customs Department of the Revenue Service, seized a particularly large amount - 200 kilograms of heroin. The value of the seized narcotics on the so-called black market exceeds 50 million.

A citizen of the Islamic Republic of Iran, M.B., born in 1989, has been detained for the above-mentioned fact. Law enforcement officers found and seized 8 bags hidden in the cargo in a truck driven by the accused, which was loaded with “fish food,” containing 200 kilograms of the drug “heroin.”

The evidence obtained confirms that the vehicle entered Georgia from Iran, via Azerbaijan, through the “Red Bridge” border crossing point.

We will continue the relevant investigative actions in order to identify other persons allegedly involved in the crime and bring them to criminal responsibility.

The investigation is underway under Article 260, Part 3, Subparagraph “a” and Article 262, Part 4, Subparagraph “a” of the Criminal Code, which provides for up to 20 years or life imprisonment,” Darakhvelidze said.