Police detain seven, seize large quantities of drugs and psychotropic substances

Georgia’s Central Criminal Police Department has detained seven people on drug-related charges, including the illegal purchase and possession of particularly large quantities of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, facilitating drug distribution, and the illegal cultivation of cannabis, the Interior Ministry said on Friday.

The detainees include both Georgian and foreign nationals, according to the ministry.

During searches of the suspects’ personal and temporary residences, as well as locations indicated by them, law enforcement officers seized particularly large quantities of various narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances allegedly prepared for distribution. The seized items included mephedrone, methadone, up to four kilograms of marijuana, 21 cannabis plants and 323 pregabalin tablets.

Among those detained are individuals whose alleged involvement was uncovered after police intercepted and replaced packages sent to them in order to document the suspected offenses. Particularly large quantities of narcotic substances were subsequently seized as evidence.

Police also seized materials allegedly intended for packaging narcotic substances, as well as a firearm, during the investigative operations.

Depending on the offense, the charges carry penalties of up to 20 years’ imprisonment or life imprisonment, according to the Interior Ministry.