The Georgian law enforcement have apprehended nine individuals, including five foreign nationals, in connection with drug-related offenses, the Georgian Interior Ministry said on Thursday. 

The arrested have been accused of illegal purchase, storage, and attempted smuggling of narcotics into Georgia, as well as the cultivation of marijuana plants, which carry imprisonment for up to 20 years or even life imprisonment.

One of the arrested foreign nationals, M.S., was found with an amount of heroin (300 g). Additionally, during subsequent searches conducted by the Central Criminal Police Department, marijuana and cannabis plants were seized from the residences and farms of the accused I.D., Z.G., and M.T.

Further investigations led the Vake-Saburtalo Main Division of the Tbilisi Police Department to discover Alpha PVP, marijuana, and Psilocin during searches of private and residential apartments belonging to foreign citizens P.I. and H.B. in Tbilisi.

The Imereti Police Department in western Georgia uncovered cocaine, MDMA, Methadone, Amphetamine, and LSD in the possession of foreign citizen A.B., prepared for sale at various locations. Meanwhile, during a search of accused G.A., the Imereti Police Department seized marijuana, which was intended for distribution after purchase through an online application.

In Batumi, a search of A.I.'s temporary residence by the Khelvachauri regional division of the Adjara Police Department led to the seizure of marijuana and cannabis plants. Investigations revealed that A.I. was cultivating these plants in a specially constructed greenhouse at the residence.