Latvia-Lithuania drug gang hid dozens of kilograms in forests near Riga
The Latvian State Police detained six Latvian and Lithuanian citizens, uncovering 36 kilograms of various narcotics in forest hideaways.
36 kilograms of drugs hidden in forest barrels
The Latvian State Police detained six people in October who are suspected of involvement in the activities of an organised Latvia-Lithuania drug trafficking group. According to BNN, in operations in Riga, Jūrmala and the surrounding area, law enforcement authorities uncovered approximately 36 kilograms of various narcotic substances that had been buried in forests.
An investigation into illegal drug trafficking was initiated on 14 October. Following extensive operational measures and specialised investigative activities, police identified eight individuals connected to criminal activity.
Operation and detention
On 21 October, during a large-scale operation, law enforcement officials detained six suspected participants in trafficking. Three of them attempted to flee but were successfully apprehended. It was established that those under suspicion had used unauthorised communications devices to coordinate operations.
In total, police conducted ten searches — six at residences, three in vehicles and one at a detention facility, as well as searched forest areas.
Findings
During the searches, amphetamine, marijuana, cocaine, hashish, Subutex tablets, Quetiapine Accord tablets, clonazepam tablets and MDMA tablets were seized, as well as 34 devices containing THC. The majority of the substances were hidden in barrels buried in forest soil.
According to information provided by police, this is the first case in the Riga region in which such a large quantity of drugs has been found in forest hideaways.
During the investigation, 17 mobile phones were also seized — three of them from a detention facility — one tablet computer and forged personal identification documents. 5,490 euros in cash were also confiscated, which according to police were obtained through criminal means.
Previous violations of those detained
Those under suspicion were born in 1971, 1984, 1990, 1992, 1995, 2002 and 2003. None of them had official employment in Latvia.
Two Lithuanian citizens were wanted at the time of their detention for criminal offences committed in Lithuania. One of them had also been issued an international arrest warrant in connection with drug trafficking.
One of the detained Latvian citizens had been wanted since 28 August for sexual criminal offences against a person under 16 years of age and theft — he was transferred for sentence execution. Another detained Latvian citizen completed serving a custodial sentence in spring for a similar criminal offence related to drug trafficking.
Court decision
On 23 October, the court made a decision to apply a precautionary measure — detention — to five individuals involved in the criminal proceedings: four Lithuanian citizens and one Latvian citizen.
The first public information about the group's activities appeared at the end of October when a video recorded by a young woman showing sounds similar to gunfire and several police vehicles was posted on social media. At that time, police confirmed the detention of several individuals in the Riga region in connection with drug trafficking, without disclosing further details.
Source: BNN