Russian citizen arrested in Batumi on drug trafficking charges

Officers of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia have arrested a citizen of Russia in Batumi on charges of illegally purchasing, possessing and facilitating the distribution of a large quantity of narcotic substances.

The Interior Ministry on Friday said the detainee - identified as M.K., born in 1990 - was arrested by investigators from the Central Criminal Police Department of the Adjara Main Division.

Law enforcement officers seized 17 packages of the narcotic substance hashish, prepared for distribution, as well as materials used for packaging drugs.

The substances were discovered during searches of the suspect’s personal belongings and temporary residence, as well as during an investigative experiment conducted at locations indicated by the suspect.

The crime carries a penalty of up to 20 years in prison.