36 kg of drugs found in forests of Riga region – six Latvian and Lithuanian nationals detained
State police in Riga, Jūrmala and Pierīga have detained six people in connection with drug storage in forest areas. Approximately 36 kilograms of various narcotics were found during searches.
Drugs hidden in barrels buried in forests – Latvian and Lithuanian nationals detained
On 21 October, during a large-scale operation, State police detained six persons in Riga, Jūrmala and Pierīga who were engaged in the illegal circulation of narcotics as an organised group, according to Diena, citing information provided by the State Police Public Relations Department to the news agency LETA. Three of those detained attempted to escape, but were successfully apprehended.
The investigation began on 14 October. As a result of operational measures and special investigative activities, police identified a total of eight persons connected with the offence. Two Latvian nationals were already in custody for other violations at the time of the offence and used unauthorised communications devices to coordinate illegal activities.
Ten searches, 36 kilograms of narcotics
Law enforcement officers conducted ten searches – six at residential locations, three in vehicles and one at a place of custody – and also searched forest areas. The searches revealed approximately 36 kilograms of various narcotic substances in total: amphetamine, marijuana, cocaine, hashish, Subutex tablets, Quetiapine Accord tablets, clonazepam tablets and MDMA tablets. Additionally, 34 devices containing the psychoactive plant substance THC were found.
The majority of the narcotics were discovered in barrels buried in the ground in the forest. According to information provided by police, this is the first case in the Riga region where such a large quantity of drugs has been found in a forest. Usually, drug dealers create smaller caches, which simultaneously serve as distribution points for clients.
During procedural activities, 17 mobile phones were confiscated – three of which were taken from places of custody – one tablet computer and forged identification documents.
Those detained: four Lithuanian and two Latvian nationals
Among those detained are four Lithuanian nationals and two Latvian nationals, born between 1971 and 2003. Two Lithuanian nationals were wanted at the time of detention in connection with offences committed in Lithuania; one of them was on an international wanted list specifically for illegal drug trafficking.
One of the detained Latvian nationals had been wanted in Latvia since 28 August for sexual activities with a person under 16 years of age and for theft. He was handed over to serve his sentence. The other detained Latvian national had only served a sentence this spring for an analogous offence in the drug sphere.
Court ordered detention for five persons
On 23 October, a court ordered detention as the strictest security measure for five of the persons involved in the criminal proceedings – four Lithuanian nationals and one Latvian national.
The first public information about the group emerged at the end of October, when a video filmed by a young woman was circulated on social media, in which sounds resembling gunfire could be heard and several police cars were visible. At that time, police confirmed that several persons had been detained in the Riga region in connection with drug trafficking, but did not disclose more detailed information. The investigation is continuing to clarify all circumstances and identify other possible persons connected with the offence.
Source: Diena