Police dismantle drug trafficking group in Riga — six detained, 2 kg of cannabis seized
Police in a major operation in Ķengaraga and Ādaži detained six individuals and seized several types of narcotics. Three of those suspected have been remanded in custody.
Six detained in drug distribution operation in Riga and the surrounding area
According to jauns.lv, the operation began on 14 September, when police detained five individuals in Ķengaraga and Ādaži — born between 1994 and 2006. In one of the detainees' flats, a drug cache containing various substances was discovered.
Three days later, police detained another member of the group — a man born in 1984, whom they suspect of trafficking amphetamine on a large scale.
In total, 11 searches were carried out, during which approximately two kilogrammes of cannabis, 700 grammes of amphetamine, 15 grammes of cocaine, 20 grammes of ketamine, clonazepam tablets and a jar containing amphetamine oil residue were seized. The exact quantity of substances will be determined by expert analysis.
In addition to the narcotics, police seized four cars — two Mercedes-Benz vehicles and two BMWs — as well as more than 5,500 euros in cash, which may have been obtained through criminal means.
The investigation data indicates that the drugs were primarily distributed in Riga and the surrounding area, with delivery to hidden locations. Each group member had their own role; in some transactions, payments were made using cryptocurrency.
Three of the detainees have previously been convicted of offences related to narcotics, whilst two were at large at the time of detention in connection with other possible criminal offences.
Three of those suspected have been remanded in custody, whilst the others have been subjected to security measures not involving deprivation of liberty. The law provides for deprivation of liberty for a period of five to 15 years for involvement in the circulation of narcotics in an organised group on a large scale.
Source: Google News LV — Crime (lv)