Georgia’s Interior Ministry announced on 18 May 2023 that special operations carried out at different times in Tbilisi and the country’s regions had detained 55 people on drug charges, including 37 drug dealers.[1] The English-language account describes the same announcement as operational activities carried out across the country resulting in 55 arrests including 37 drug dealers.[2] The investigation found that the detainees were placing drugs for sale at specific locations through internet applications and social networks and then sending buyers the names and coordinates.[3]

The ministry said officers made several controlled purchases of drugs from those detained and secretly audio- and video-recorded the transactions.[2] Searches of the detainees, their cars, homes and places they indicated recovered especially large amounts of various drugs, including cocaine, heroin, Subutex, hashish, MDMA and Alpha-PVP.[1]

Police also seized small electric scales, equipment for growing marijuana, sticky tape and money believed to be proceeds of drug sales.[1] One of those detained was also found with a firearm, 26 cartridges and two cartridge magazines.[1] Those detained face up to 20 years in prison or life imprisonment if their guilt is proven.[1]