Tartu police find nearly 30 intoxicated minors in major raid

Tartu police found nearly 30 intoxicated minors during a large-scale operation late Friday, ERR reported. Some were heavily intoxicated, while officers also encountered minors using e-cigarettes and cases involving suspected drug use.

Nearly 50 officers first focused on electric scooters in the Annelinn and Ülenurme areas, finding two prohibited scooters and two cases of two people riding on one scooter. Police also checked helmet use and spoke with young people.

Rain meant officers saw few scooters, said Kristo Kooskora, a senior inspector with the Police and Border Guard Board. He said scooter gatherings had also become more common and that police work on the issue would continue.

After midnight, officers moved to central Tartu and surrounded Küüni Street. Police said they had not previously carried out a raid of that scale there. Officers approached from both ends of the street and checked everyone between the teams as they moved towards each other.

Some young people became aggressive, and officers used handcuffs in several cases. Others tried to flee but were unsuccessful. Police said the operation confirmed that problems involving minors were serious and that checks should be carried out more often, including on weekdays.