According to Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Aleksandre Darakhvelidze, law enforcement officers have seized 157 kilograms of the narcotic substance heroin, with an estimated market value of 50 million GEL on the so-called black market.

Darakhvelidze stated that the heroin was being smuggled concealed among “marble tiles.”

“On December 30 of this year, employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs identified and prevented another major attempt to smuggle narcotic substances into Georgia. Police seized 157 kilograms of the narcotic substance heroin, the market value of which on the black market amounts to approximately 50 million GEL.

A citizen of the Islamic Republic of Iran has been detained on charges of illegal acquisition and possession of a particularly large quantity of narcotic substances, as well as illegal importation into Georgia.

Evidence obtained during the investigation established that the truck entered Georgia from a neighboring country via the ‘Red Bridge’ customs checkpoint.

Law enforcement officers discovered the particularly large quantity of narcotics in a special hidden compartment in the trailer of the truck.

The 157 kilograms of heroin were being transported concealed among marble tiles.

Operational and investigative actions in the criminal case are actively ongoing to identify other individuals involved in this drug-related crime and to bring them to criminal responsibility.

This largest-ever case of heroin smuggling into Georgia was uncovered jointly by officers of the Central Criminal Police and the Customs Department of the Revenue Service, for which I would like to express my special gratitude.

The investigation is being conducted under Articles 260 and 262 of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which provide for a sentence of up to 20 years or life imprisonment.

We continue the fight against drug-related crime in an intensive, 24-hour режим.

We pay special attention to identifying drug dealers and punishing them with the full severity of the law.

Over the past seven months alone, the Ministry of Internal Affairs has prevented dozens of attempts to smuggle narcotic substances into the country and has seized several hundred kilograms of drugs. In total, more than 5,000 people have been detained and brought to criminal responsibility for drug-related crimes, including up to 2,000 individuals involved in drug trafficking,” Darakhvelidze stated.