Police detain three over suspected cocaine distribution in Kaunas

Police in Kaunas detained three residents suspected of distributing cocaine, seized more than 200 grams of suspected cocaine and about 10,000 euros in cash, and closed five suspected drug distribution points in the city, LRT reported.

The suspects, born in 1976, 1988 and 1984, were detained during an investigation by Kaunas County Police. Officers also detained two people, born in 1986 and 1998, suspected of using drugs and being customers of the alleged distributors. Police said their actions had also prevented some drugs from entering circulation in Kaunas County.

Searches of the suspects’ homes, workplaces, properties and vehicles uncovered the suspected cocaine and cash. The suspects had previously been known to law enforcement. A court ordered one month of remand detention for two of them. The others received less restrictive measures, including a written undertaking not to leave, confiscation of their identity documents and an obligation to report to a police station.

The Organised Crime Investigation Board of the Kaunas County Police Headquarters is investigating the case under Articles 259 and 260 of the Criminal Code. The investigation is being organised and overseen by prosecutors from the Organised Crime and Corruption Investigation Division of the Kaunas Regional Prosecutor’s Office. The penalties set out in the law range from up to two years in prison for unlawful possession without intent to distribute, to two to eight years for possession with intent to distribute or distribution. Possession of a very large quantity can carry a prison term of 10 to 15 years.