Two arrested in Georgia over alleged attempt to smuggle firearms, components and ammunition

Georgian police have arrested two people, including a foreign national, on suspicion of attempting to illegally import firearms-related items, ammunition and explosives into the country, the Interior Ministry said on Wednesday.

The arrests followed a joint operation by the Interior Ministry's Central Criminal Police Department and the Customs Department of the Finance Ministry's Revenue Service.

Officers searched vehicles belonging to the suspects at the Sarpi border crossing and the customs clearance zone at the Port of Poti, seizing about 500 rounds of live ammunition, two pneumatic sporting guns, more than 2,000 cartridge cases, nearly 900 bullet projectiles, and 2.5 kilograms of gunpowder intended for manufacturing firearm cartridges.

If convicted, they face up to nine years in prison, the ministry said.