Under “Georgian Dream,” Georgia has become the main trafficking route and epicenter of the drug trade. Without the protection of officials from the “Georgian Dream” government, this would have been completely impossible — in doing so, Ivanishvili and Ivanishvili’s “Russian regime” are facilitating the killing of a new generation of citizens, said Irakli Kupradze, Secretary General of “Lelo – Strong Georgia,” at a briefing held at the party’s office.
As he noted, “Lelo – Strong Georgia” wants drug rehabilitation centers to be opened in every municipality and city of the country as part of drug policy.
“For several weeks, we have been watching the shameful PR campaign carried out by the Minister of Internal Affairs, Gela Geladze, and the ministry, which does not correspond to the reality we live in. For years we have been speaking about the severe situation in the country regarding drug trafficking. Under ‘Georgian Dream,’ Georgia has become the main trafficking route and epicenter of the drug trade. Without the protection of officials from the ‘Georgian Dream’ government, this would have been completely impossible.
The 2024 report published by the state clearly shows that over 6,000 drug-related crimes have been recorded, of which about 100 are related to drug transit through Georgia. This is incomplete data published by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the illegitimate government of ‘Georgian Dream.’ Clearly, this PR campaign, which is only a response to the public’s strong reaction to uncontrolled drug trafficking, is being conducted with the consent of ‘Georgian Dream.’
By doing this, Ivanishvili and Ivanishvili’s ‘Russian regime’ have, for years, facilitated the killing of Georgia’s new generation of citizens. Each year, more than 50 people die from overdoses. During all this time, the government has had no mechanisms for care; their drug policy is aimed solely at repression. Ivanishvili has only one goal — to turn Georgia into the main epicenter of money laundering and drug trafficking. This is confirmed by the entirely rational and objective perception in society that drugs have spread to a large part of the population.
In February 2025, the report published by the U.S. State Department confirmed that Georgia has become a problematic epicenter in global drug trafficking. Ivanishvili managed to turn Georgia into an international drug trafficking hub. Ivanishvili must take responsibility for the numerous tragedies happening around us.
With these PR-driven, ridiculous, and completely incomprehensible campaigns led by the Interior Minister, Gela Geladze, they cannot fool the public, which personally feels the severe impact of drug addiction on themselves, their children, and their families. We say that in relation to drug trafficking and international drug transit, the state must be bold, and there must be political will. Ivanishvili and his ‘Russian regime’ do not have this political will.
We clearly declare that drug policy must be based on care and support for people with drug addiction. For the second election in a row, we are saying that it is absolutely essential for the country to have drug rehabilitation centers where the state, along with other citizens, will take care of each person with drug addiction and offer them the kind of solution they need and are ready for. Every municipality and city must have drug rehabilitation centers where our citizens will be offered help to overcome addiction — one of the most severe challenges for our society.
While Ivanishvili is killing and destroying our future and our new generation, we are offering citizens, including our supporters, allies, and every person in Georgia, a way to solve this problem — uncompromisingly fighting drug trafficking and international drug transit, and caring for people with drug addiction. This is an inevitable and necessary change that must take place in our country, and we take responsibility for it,” said Irakli Kupradze.
Irakli Kupradze: Under “Georgian Dream,” Georgia has become the main trafficking route and epicenter of drug trade — without the protection of officials from the “Georgian Dream” government, this would have been impossible
