Investigative Service detains heads of illegal enterprise linked to former Defence Minister’s family member

The Investigative Service of the Ministry of Finance of Georgia has detained several individuals connected to an illegal cigarette manufacturing plant linked to the family of former Defence Minister Juansher Burchuladze, who is currently in custody.

The body said on Friday that in 2023 a family member of the former minister, identified as V.M., established companies and set up an underground factory in the city of Gori. The facility had been producing large quantities of untaxed cigarettes for years.

The founder of the illegal enterprise, the company’s director and the head of security at the plant and a former personal bodyguard of the ex-Defence Minister were detained earlier today.

During the search operation, investigators seized 323,851 packs of untaxed KARELIA brand cigarettes worth ₾2,176,341 ($806,151) on the black market, along with cigarette production machinery and other manufacturing materials.

The crime is punishable by seven to ten years imprisonment. Authorities said the probe is ongoing and aims to identify additional individuals involved in the organised criminal scheme.