Georgian police arrest 142 in nationwide drug crackdown, including 62 suspected dealers

Georgian law enforcement officers have arrested 142 people on drug-related charges in a nationwide crackdown, including 62 suspected of involvement in drug trafficking, David Kiknadze, director of the Central Criminal Police Department, said on Wednesday.

Kiknadze said the Interior Ministry’s relevant units were continuing coordinated anti-drug operations across the country.

The suspects were systematically selling illegal drugs using various methods, including direct hand-to-hand transactions, internet applications and social media platforms.

Some suspects allegedly hid drugs at pre-selected locations and then sent the coordinates and photographs to prospective buyers.

During controlled drug purchases authorised by court orders, as well as searches of suspects, their homes, vehicles and locations they identified, police seized particularly large quantities of narcotic and psychotropic substances. These included cocaine, methadone, heroin, alpha-PVP, amphetamine, pregabalin, marijuana and other substances.

Officers also seized materials used to package drugs, electronic scales, money suspected of being proceeds from illegal drug sales, illegally acquired firearms and ammunition.

The detainees include both Georgian and foreign nationals, Kiknadze said.

The charges carry penalties of up to 20 years in prison or life imprisonment.