Police detain 1 Georgian, 5 foreign citizens for drug offenses, seize large quantity of drugs

Police have detained one Georgian individual and five foreign citizens for illegal drug manufacturing, purchase, possession and sale today.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs said that the detainees are from Russia, Ukraine, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan.

Law enforcers have seized about 21 kg (powder) and 10 liters of Alpha-PVP, worth 6 million GEL (about $2,087,246).

Laboratory equipment and various chemicals have also been seized in Tbilisi and Batumi.

Director of the Central Criminal Department Mamuka Chelidze said at a briefing today that the organised group of drug dealers created groups in Telegram, through which they illegally manufactured, purchased, stored and sold drugs in Armenia, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Georgia.

All the defendants used the internet application VIPole to communicate with each other, their direct manager and the regional manager in Georgia", said Mamuka Chelidze.

The citizen of Kazakhstan packed and placed drugs at different addresses for couriers working in the criminal organization, said Mamuka Chelidze.

The crime is punishable by six to 11 years imprisonment.