Drugs worth €200,000: Klaipėda police detain five suspects
Klaipėda police have concluded a major drugs case – 2.7 kg of narcotics were found, and five people are under suspicion. Cryptocurrency and underground caches were used for distribution.
Klaipėda drugs network: cryptocurrency, caches and five suspects
Officers from the Organised Crime Investigation Department of the Criminal Police at Klaipėda District Police Headquarters are conducting a large-scale pre-trial investigation into the distribution of narcotic and psychotropic substances, according to tv3.lt. During the investigation, a total of approximately 2.7 kg of narcotic substances were found and seized in various locations across Lithuania, with a value on the illegal market potentially reaching €200,000.
Suspicions have been raised against five people – men aged 22, 23, 25 and 27, and a woman aged 25.
Investigation began in February
The pre-trial investigation was initiated in February following information received about narcotic and psychotropic substances being distributed via an internet application. It is suspected that buyers paid for the drugs using cryptocurrency and subsequently received coordinates indicating where the narcotic or psychotropic substances were hidden in secret caches.
Searches in Klaipėda, Palanga and Šiauliai
In May, officers conducted a search at the residence of a 25-year-old man and 25-year-old woman in Klaipėda. Approximately 76 grammes of cannabis resin, approximately 24 grammes of cocaine, electronic scales and other items relevant to the investigation were found and seized.
In July, searches were carried out in Palanga and Šiauliai at the premises of three further suspects – men aged 22, 23 and 27. Approximately 79 grammes of cannabis, approximately 4 grammes of cocaine, 42 electronic cigarettes containing the psychotropic substance THC, vacuum-sealing machines and electronic scales were seized.
43 packets buried underground
Continuing their investigative actions, officers discovered drug caches in Klaipėda, Klaipėda District, Kaunas District and Šiauliai District. In total, 43 vacuum-sealed packets containing narcotic substances that were buried in the ground were found and seized. Šiauliai officers verified the caches in Šiauliai District and took possession of the packets.
Preventive measures
All five people have been charged with the unlawful disposal of narcotic or psychotropic substances with intent to distribute them, as well as with unlawful disposal of large and very large quantities of such substances.
The 22-year-old suspect was initially ordered into custody, which was later changed to bail, a written commitment not to leave the country and an obligation to register periodically at a police station. The other four suspects have been subjected to less stringent preventive measures.
The pre-trial investigation is organised and overseen by a prosecutor from the Organised Crime and Corruption Investigation Department of Klaipėda Regional Prosecutor's Office.
Under Lithuanian law, unlawful disposal of a large quantity of narcotic or psychotropic substances with intent to distribute carries a prison sentence of between 8 and 10 years. For disposal of a very large quantity, the sentence is between 10 and 15 years.
Source: Google News LT — Crime (lt)