The Investigative Service of Georgia’s Ministry of Finance has arrested 17 members of an organized criminal group involved in the illegal trade of psychotropic drugs, while three additional suspects who are currently in hiding will be declared wanted. In addition, charges have been brought against 11 individuals without arrest, as they cooperated with the investigation and helped expose the large-scale criminal scheme.

The announcement was made at a briefing by Guga Tavberidze, Deputy Head of a Department within the Investigative Service of the Ministry of Finance.

According to Tavberidze, investigators have uncovered a case involving the illegal trade of psychotropic medications worth more than GEL 53 million, the laundering of criminal proceeds, and illegal entrepreneurial activities.

“More than 1,000 investigative and procedural actions were carried out as part of this case. At this stage, 17 members of the organized group have been arrested, while three individuals who are in hiding will be placed on the wanted list. In addition, charges have been filed against 11 individuals without arrest, as they cooperated with the investigation and contributed to uncovering the large-scale criminal scheme. Criminal proceedings have also been initiated against 24 legal entities registered in Georgia.

Among the accused are former senior officials of the Medical and Pharmaceutical Activities Regulation Agency, who for years, motivated by personal interests and abusing their official positions, facilitated the operation of this criminal scheme and acted against the public interest.”

The investigation established that a large-scale network promoting so-called “pharmacy drug addiction” operated in Georgia between 2018 and 2025. The scheme was allegedly organized by executives of companies importing psychotropic medications.

To conceal the criminal activity, imported medications were officially documented as being supplied to fictitious pharmaceutical companies that had been registered in advance under the names of individuals connected to the organizers. In reality, the drugs were sold throughout the country without prescriptions or the required permits, often at significant markups and through outlets that did not even possess pharmacy licenses.

According to investigators, the illegal sale of psychotropic medications generated GEL 53,833,723 in revenue.

“To legitimize these illicit proceeds, a significant portion of the funds was disguised as salaries and dividends.

Using these financial resources, the accused and their associates acquired substantial amounts of movable and immovable property. All such assets have been fully frozen and will later be used to compensate for the damages caused.”

Authorities stated that, in addition to causing the state tens of millions of lari in financial losses, the members of the criminal group endangered the lives and health of thousands of citizens through the illegal retail sale of psychotropic drugs directly to individuals.

The investigation is being conducted under Articles 192 and 194 of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which provide for prison sentences ranging from 9 to 11 years.

Tavberidze also issued a warning to individuals and businesses operating in the sector:

“We warn all individuals and legal entities, including their owners and managers, operating in this field that the state will be particularly strict and uncompromising toward crimes that, on the one hand, damage the state budget and increase corruption risks, and on the other hand, threaten human life and health.

Accordingly, intensive operational measures and continuous monitoring will continue until so-called pharmacy drug addiction is fully eradicated in the country,” Guga Tavberidze stated.