Five arrested in Georgia over large-scale drug offences, police

Georgia’s Interior Ministry on Wednesday said five people have been arrested on suspicion of large-scale drug-related crimes, including illegal purchase and possession of narcotics, facilitation of distribution, and the unlawful cultivation of drug-containing plants.

In a statement, the Ministry said officers from its Central Criminal Police Department carried out searches of the suspects’ homes and personal belongings. Additional evidence was obtained during investigative experiments at locations identified by the accused.

Police said they seized significant quantities of drugs prepared for sale, including Methadone, Alpha-PVP and Mephedrone. Officers also confiscated five cannabis plants and up to five kilograms of dried Cannabis.

Among those detained is an individual identified through a controlled delivery operation, in which police replaced a parcel sent in the suspect’s name and subsequently seized a particularly large quantity of narcotics as evidence.

Investigators also recovered materials used for packaging and cultivating drugs.

The offences carry penalties of up to 20 years’ imprisonment or life in custody, the ministry said.