Law enforcement officers have detained 135 persons on charges of drug-related crime, among them 55 persons involved in various forms of drug dealing.

This information was disseminated by the Director of the Central Criminal Police Department, Davit Kiknadze, at a briefing held at the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

According to him, among the detainees are both citizens of Georgia and citizens of foreign countries.

“One of the main priorities of the Ministry of Internal Affairs is the uncompromising fight against drug-related crime. In this direction, law enforcement officers across the entire country, in a continuous regime, carry out comprehensive police and preventive measures.

As a result of operational measures and investigative actions carried out by law enforcement officers over the past several days in Tbilisi and various regions of Georgia, 135 persons have been detained on charges of drug-related crime. Among them, 55 persons are involved in various forms of drug dealing.

Among the detainees are both citizens of Georgia and citizens of foreign countries.

The investigation establishes that the detained persons used various methods for the distribution of narcotic substances. On the basis of a judge’s order, law enforcement officers several times carried out controlled purchases of narcotic substances and the secret audio-video recording of the said purchases.

During searches of the persons detained on charges of drug-related crime, their personal belongings, vehicles, and residential houses, as well as from the places indicated by them, the police seized as material evidence especially large quantities of various types of narcotic substances and psychotropic substances.

Also seized as material evidence is the money obtained as a result of the illegal sale of narcotic substances and illegally acquired firearms.

The investigation is ongoing under Articles 260, 260 Quarta, 260 Tertia, 261, 263, 265 Prima, and 236 of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which provide for imprisonment of up to 20 years or life imprisonment.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs is actively continuing to identify drug dealers and persons involved in the illegal circulation of narcotic substances.

In order to prevent the illegal importation and distribution of narcotic substances into the country, the police, in close coordination with other relevant law enforcement agencies, ensure maximum protection and control of land, maritime, and air borders.

Any person involved in the illegal circulation of narcotic substances, the sale of drugs, or facilitation thereof will be punished with the full severity of the law,” Davit Kiknadze stated.