"At border checkpoints, as well as at ports and airports, joint groups will be established whose primary target will be the detection of drug trafficking and the transit of other prohibited substances. Joint groups will be formed at border crossing points, as well as at ports and airports, with the main objective of detecting the transit of narcotics and other prohibited substances", Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Aleksandre Darakhvelidze told journalists.

According to him, 16 different units have been established within the Central Criminal Police, which will work in this direction around the clock together with the Customs Department.

“We have submitted an expedited package of amendments to Parliament that предусматриes changes to the Customs Code.

Under these amendments, joint groups will be created at every border crossing point, as well as at ports and airports, where officers of the Central Criminal Police Department, together with employees of the Customs Department, will carry out cargo control both on site and in a centralized manner for goods entering and leaving the country, in order to thoroughly inspect all suspicious cargo that may pose certain risks. In addition, this mechanism will allow both agencies to work preventively.

The approval of these amendments is planned within the current parliamentary session, after which a joint order will be issued detailing the functions and competencies of each agency. Ultimately, this will enable maximum control over all cargo entering and leaving the country.

The main reason for these amendments and the creation of joint groups is the recent cases related to drug trafficking and the detection of such incidents. Accordingly, a decision was made to establish a separate direction within the Central Criminal Police Department. Sixteen different units have been formed, which will operate on the ground 24/7 in this area, together with the Customs Department. Their main target will be the detection of drug trafficking and the transit of other prohibited substances, as well as the implementation of preventive measures,” Darakhvelidze said.