Police arrest six-person drug trafficking group in Riga region

Police in Riga and the surrounding area arrested an organised group of six people last week on suspicion of drug trafficking, LSM reports. Officers discovered several stashes and seized large quantities of marijuana, cocaine, amphetamine and other substances.

On September 14, investigators working with the State Police Special Task Battalion and its technical support and canine units detained five people in Riga’s Ķengarags district and in Ādaži. The detainees were born in 1994, 2000, 2003, 2004 and 2006.

Police found a large assortment of drugs in a stash in one detainee’s apartment. On September 17, officers detained another suspected member of the group, a man born in 1984, on suspicion of distributing amphetamine on a large scale. A large quantity of drugs was also found and seized at addresses linked to him.

In total, police carried out 11 searches at addresses linked to the suspects and one search of a cryptocurrency wallet. They seized approximately two kilograms of marijuana, 15 grams of cocaine, 700 grams of amphetamine, a 20-litre container holding about 100 millilitres of amphetamine oil residue, 20 grams of ketamine, 20 clonazepam tablets and scales.

The exact quantities will be established after expert analysis. Police also confiscated a Mercedes-Benz A180, a Mercedes-Benz GL350, two BMW 525 cars and more than 5,500 euros in cash, which officers believe was obtained through criminal activity.

According to information held by police, the suspects mainly distributed drugs in Riga and the surrounding area using hidden stashes. Each member of the group had a specific role, and some used cryptocurrency transfers as a method of payment. The suspects also used the drugs themselves.

Three of the suspects had previously been convicted of offences related to illegal drug trafficking. Two were wanted for other alleged offences at the time of their arrest. Criminal proceedings have been launched in connection with the case.