Armed police officers detain individuals in taxi in Pārdaugava; shots heard
On Thursday in Riga's Pārdaugava district, an operation with masked police officers took place; residents heard shots and saw individuals taken away in handcuffs.
Masked police officers detain taxi passengers in Bieriņi, block Mežotnes Street
Google News LV — Crime (lv) reports that on Thursday in Riga's Pārdaugava district, in the Bieriņi area, a police operation took place in which masked and armed officials detained several people who were travelling in a taxi.
Residents of Mežotnes Street observed unusual events: two loud explosions rang out, resembling gunshots, after which the area was filled with the sound of police sirens. Local resident Māra was in the yard at the time and watched the detention unfold behind a fence.
"I looked, but I couldn't see much — a car was stopped, they were pulling some people out, they searched the car for a long time, two were taken away in handcuffs," says Māra.
The taxi was left on the roadside after the incident. During the operation, police officers blocked traffic on Mežotnes Street and directed drivers to use alternative routes. Māra added that the police vehicles were unmarked.
State Police spokesperson Simona Grāvīte confirmed to the programme "Degpunkts" that on Thursday procedural actions were carried out in the Riga region and individuals were detained. There were no victims, and there is no threat to the public, Grāvīte emphasised. The police have not yet provided detailed information about the purpose of the operation.
Source: Google News LV — Crime (lv)