The Georgia Revenue Service (Tax and Customs Administration – SPS Border Control Agency of Georgia), on 11 July 2014, in collaboration with the Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs, detected an international narcotic trafficking operation heading from the Republic of Azerbaijan, through Georgia, towards the Republic of Turkey. The investigative analysis culminated in the search of a cargo truck at the Batumi Customs Clearance Zone, where Customs officers discovered approximately 2 tons and 790 kilos of liquid heroin, and which they immediately seized. The narcotics seizure represents the largest ever on Georgian soil.
According to the preliminary investigation, the seized narcotics contain 80 percent pure heroin with an estimated market price of several hundred million USD. The case has been transferred to the Department of Criminal Police of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia for further investigation.
The case was made as a result of an effective Customs risk assessment system.