In Georgia, police detained two Ukrainian citizens on suspicion of involvement in large-scale drug crimes, punishable by imprisonment for up to 20 years or even life imprisonment
This information is reported by the Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs, citing data from the Patrol Police Department and various media sources in both international and Ukrainian outlets. According to law enforcement authorities, the detention was carried out as part of a targeted operation during which the suspects’ personal belongings, vehicle, and temporary residence were searched. As a result of the investigative actions, the police confiscated over 100 packages of the drug "Methadone" in particularly large quantities. The total weight of the seized methadone indicates a significant scale of the group's activities and suggests they are engaged in illegal production and distribution. Details of the confiscation point to an extensive organized network. During the searches, electrical scales necessary for packaging the narcotic substance were found and seized, along with materials used for the production and packaging of psychotropic substances. All of these are important evidence in the ongoing investigation. Currently, the police are pursuing charges under several articles of the Georgian Criminal Code, specifically Articles 260, 18-260, and 19-260, which entail responsibility for illegal acquisition, large-scale possession, and manufacture of narcotic drugs with intent to distribute. Measures are being taken to hold the detainees accountable and to establish all circumstances of their activities. It is worth recalling that recently, Europe has been increasingly concerned about the rise in drug seizure volumes. Germany reports a surge in cocaine consumption and an increase in confiscated substances, while France already speaks of a significant rise in drug quantities seized in 2024, indicating a deepening of the European drug trafficking issue. The detention of Ukrainians in Georgia further exemplifies how criminal groups have a global character and are becoming more active across international borders. Ukrainian law enforcement agencies and international organizations are intensifying cooperation to combat illegal drug trafficking, as their activities not only facilitate criminal schemes but also pose threats to public safety. It is expected that this case will garner wide resonance and serve as another example of the need for countries to unite their efforts in fighting drug trafficking, which continues to destroy lives and undermine stability in the region.