24 kg of cannabis seized in Latgale, 13 firearms recovered and four group members detained
State Police conducted 10 search operations in Rēzekne and Madona district, uncovering two cannabis cultivation facilities. Four men were detained, and a record quantity of narcotics for the Latgale region this year was seized.
Record amount of cannabis seized in Latgale — four detained
State Police this week detained four members of a criminal group involved in the illegal distribution of narcotic substances on a large scale, reports TVNET. Search operations were carried out in Rēzekne, Rēzekne district and Madona district.
On 3 June, three men were detained — born in 1975, 1977 and 1999. The following day, on 4 June, another person was detained.
The Criminal Police Bureau of the Latgale Regional Directorate, in cooperation with the Special Tasks Battalion, conducted 10 authorised search operations on 3 June. During these operations, two equipped cannabis cultivation facilities were discovered.
Law enforcement officers found and seized:
- approximately 24 kilograms of dried cannabis,
- specialised equipment for cannabis cultivation,
- 13 firearms,
- approximately 100 various firearm components,
- cash in the amount of 3,145 euros.
According to police, this is a record amount of cannabis seized in the Latgale region since the beginning of this year. Law enforcement plans to request the court to freeze the seized cash.
The Criminal Police Bureau will request the court to apply a security measure involving deprivation of liberty for two of the detained persons.
A criminal case has been opened under the second part of Article 253 of the Criminal Law — for the unauthorised manufacture, storage or transportation of narcotic substances, committed by a group of persons pursuant to prior agreement, or in relation to narcotics in a large amount. The prescribed penalty is deprivation of liberty from three to ten years with or without confiscation of property. Additionally, a case has been opened under the first part of Article 256 — for the unauthorised cultivation of narcotic plants; in this case the prescribed penalty is deprivation of liberty for up to two years.
State Police reminds that no person is considered guilty until proven guilty in the manner established by law.
Source: TVNET