Based on operational information received, the Georgian State Security Service and the Ministry of Internal Affairs, as a result of conducted operational and investigative actions, detained two citizens of Ukraine.
According to the State Security Service, on September 10 of this year, a truck of the MERCEDES-BENZ brand with Ukrainian license plates, traveling from Ukraine to Georgia via Romania and Bulgaria, crossed the state border from Turkey and entered the country through the customs checkpoint at the Sarp border.
As a result of stopping and checking it, 2.4 kilograms of the explosive substance “Hexogen” were found in the vehicle, placed in pre-prepared concealed hiding places. We explain to the public that this concerns an explosive substance more powerful than “TNT.”
“At this stage of the investigation, it is being established that the explosive substance was handed over to the Ukrainian citizen, the driver of the aforementioned vehicle, M.S., by an unidentified person on the territory of Ukraine in concealed boxes containing the explosive substance, and he was instructed that after crossing the Georgian border, another person in contact with them would pick up the said substance.
The already detained Ukrainian citizen D.Zh. also approached the driver M.S. and picked up the large quantity of explosive substance hidden in the compartments.
As a result of the searches conducted, 8 mobile phones, a computer, electronic information storage devices, a large amount of cash, SIM cards from mobile operators of various countries, and the narcotic substance “cocaine” were seized.
The investigation is ongoing under Article 236 of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which pertains to the illegal acquisition, storage, and transportation of explosive substances. The detainees will also be charged under Article 260 in connection with the narcotic substances seized during their search.
Naturally, the investigation will continue to determine the ultimate purpose of the large quantity of explosive substance imported into Georgia – whether a terrorist act was being prepared in Georgia, whether Georgia was being used as a transit country, or something else. Accordingly, the legal qualification of the detained persons will be refined, and the public will be further informed if necessary.
The State Security Service thanks the employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Prosecutor’s Office for their very significant contribution to the successful operation conducted,” the statement reads.
State Security Service: We have detained two citizens of Ukraine – 2.4 kg of explosive substance ‘Hexogen’ was found in their car – 8 mobile phones, a computer, a large amount of cash, SIM cards, and ‘cocaine’ were seized
