Police arrest 13, seize illegal firearms, ammunition across Georgia

Georgian police have arrested 13 individuals, including two foreign nationals, in capital Tbilisi and other regions of the country on charges of illegal purchase and storage of firearms and ammunition over a recent period, the Ministry of Internal Affairs said on Thursday.

The Ministry said law enforcement had seized firearms, automatic rifles, sawed-off hunting rifles, cartridges, pistols and magazines from the individuals, as well as marijuana from one of the arrested.

Two residential houses and vehicles related to the alleged offenders were searched in the effort, with three out of the 13 arrested individuals having previous criminal records.

The body also said police departments in the capital city, western regions of Adjara, Imereti and Samegrelo-Zemo-Svaneti, as well as Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti were involved in the efforts, while other actions involved authorities in the central-eastern Shida Kartli, Mtskheta-Mtianeti and eastern Kakheti regions.

The crimes are punishable by three to seven years in prison.