This summer, the State Police's Organised Crime Control Office stopped the illegal methadone laboratory running in Krimulda during an international operation. . As a result of procedural actions carried out in Latvia, more than 21 kilograms of drugs were removed - substances containing methadone, as well as various precursors in the manufacture of drugs. In addition, the Russian Federation detained a cargo of 6,5 kg of methadone intended for sale abroad. The official guards of the State Police have detained six members of the organised group. .
In the spring of this year, criminal proceedings following the third paragraph of Section 253.1 and the third paragraph of Article 255 of the Criminal Law were initiated in the GKrPP ONAP. . In particular, regarding the unauthorised manufacture, storage, transport and sale of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances in an organised group, the unauthorised purchase, storage, transport and sale of equipment, materials and precursors intended for the manufacture of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances in an organised group, and the unauthorised movement of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances across the border of the Republic of Latvia, in a large-scale, organised group.
During the investigation activities of the VP ONAP, legal guards in cooperation with the VP's counterterrorism unit “OMEGA” and other VP departments on 13 July of this year suspended the unauthorised operation of the methadone laboratory in the county of Krimulda. . This laboratory had been installed in a private house, and the information at the police's disposal has shown that drugs have been manufactured there since this year.
Six members of the organised group, Latvia's nationals, were detained in various places in Latvia. .
The procedural actions carried out resulted in the removal of more than 21 kg of drugs, methadone-containing substances, various precursors for the manufacture of drugs, technical equipment, means of communication and other items of interest in criminal proceedings.
As part of this same process, in cooperation with the employees of the Chief Drug Combating Administration of the Ministry of Interior of the Russian Federation, a truck with the Latvian National Designation and two persons, one of whom is a national of Latvia, was detained on the road in Moscow area. . 6.5 kg of methadon was removed in the course of procedural action. During the investigation, it has been confirmed that methadone produced in the municipality of Krimulda has been supplied to the Russian market, but it is possible that the production produced in this laboratory has also been marketed in Latvia.
For five suspects born in 1967, 1969, 1970, 1971 and 1976, an appropriate means of security – detention. . A man born in 1945, on the other hand, was granted a non-custodial security instrument. The role of the individuals involved in the crime is still being clarified, but the information available to the police shows that both the organiser and drug makers are among the detainees. . It should be mentioned that one of the suspects has been previously sanctioned for a similar criminal offence.
The value of the small-scale marketing of removed synthetic drugs on the “black” market could reach €1.5 million. .
Prepared by:
Gita Gžibovska
Senior Officer
Tel. of the State Police's
Public Relations Division. .67075264
Mo b.. Tel. .27878155
gita.gzibovska@vp.gov.lv