site.btaCustoms Officials Detain Two Georgians for Firearms Smuggling

Border police officers have detained two Georgians at the Kapitan Andreevo border checkpoint who tried to smuggle 20 combat pistols across the border, the Customs Agency said on Friday.

On July 15, a Turkish-registered bus carrying passengers from Türkiye to Poland arrived at the checkpoint. Border Police officers selected the bus for inspection. Before passport control, two Georgians left two leather backpacks in a trash can near the entrance to the bus terminal. Border police officers promptly detained them, and 20 combat pistols were found in the backpacks.

A joint inspection with customs officers revealed a sizeable hidden compartment, which was empty at the time of the inspection but was believed to have been used to conceal the weapons. Following the discovery of the hidden compartment, a compulsory administrative measure was imposed to temporarily take the vehicle out of service, and its registration certificate and licence plates were seized.

A pre-trial investigation has been initiated into the case. The two Georgian citizens have been charged with firearms smuggling.