Yesterday, on July 15, officials of the Organized Crime Department of the Main Criminal Police Department of the State Police sent a so-called “cocaine case” to prosecute five people, where the largest cargo of cocaine in Latvia - two tons - was seized.
In January 2019, the State Police, as a result of successful international cooperation, carried out an operation to stop cocaine transit, with the exception of more than two tonnes or 2 197 725 grams of cocaine. A cargo of 42 cardboard boxes shipped from Ecuador was found in the county of Koknesne. The boxes contained 2195 briquettes with a variety of logos, TNT, Badboys, Gold, and with a dolphin image. Several Latvian citizens were detained for committing the criminal offence.
The seized drug was commissioned for an expert-examination, during which it was confirmed that the existing mixture had a cocaine share of approximately 80%, which means that it was of very high quality.
During the investigation, it was established that the removed cocaine cargo was not intended for the Latvian market, but Latvia was used as a transit country to bring the cargo to other countries.
In 2019, the removal of the substance containing cocaine was carried out in two rounds. Cocaine was transported to the site of destruction under heightened security conditions, including the “Omega” anti-terrorism unit. It was thrown for destruction in an oven carried out by people dressed in special protective clothing.
On January 8, 2019, the State Police initiated criminal proceedings following the third paragraph of Section 253./1 of the Criminal Law (regarding the unauthorised manufacture, purchase, storage, transport or transfer of narcotic substances for marketing purposes or the unauthorised sale of narcotic substances, if committed by an organised group or committed with narcotic substances in large quantities), Section 190./1, third paragraph parts (regarding the movement of a narcotic substance across the State border of the Republic of Latvia in any illegal form, if committed by an organised group) and Section 195, Paragraph three (regarding the laundering of money or other property acquired, if such has been committed by an organised group).
On July 15 this year, a decision on the transfer of criminal proceedings against five persons to a specialised prosecutor's office for organised crime and other sectors was taken to obtain a sufficient set of evidence and to carry out all the necessary criminal proceedings.
Prepared by:
Elīna Priedīte
Senior Officer of the Public Relations Division
of the State Police
Tel. 67075093
Mob. Tel. 29600629
e-mail: elina.priedite@vp.gov.lv