A Kazakh citizen suspected of selling synthetic drugs and laundering criminal proceeds has been extradited from Georgia. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Sputnik Kazakhstan.
According to the Prosecutor General's Office, he was a member of a criminal group involved in the illegal trafficking of psychotropic substances on an especially large scale, as well as the legalization of criminal proceeds.
"This person was a member of a criminal group. He organized the production of drugs on an especially large scale in the Almaty region. Subsequently, the prepared psychotropic substances were secretly distributed in this region and the city of Almaty," the prosecutor's office said.
During the inspection, about 10 kg of psychotropic substance (mephedrone) was seized from the criminal group.
"They legalized over 1.8 billion tenge through various financial transactions and the purchase of real estate, business facilities, and vehicles worth more than 600 million tenge. These assets have been seized for transfer to state revenue," the prosecutor's office added.
Currently, a trial is underway for some members of the criminal group. The suspect evaded criminal prosecution and was placed on the international wanted list.
In January of this year, he was detained in Georgia and handed over to Kazakhstan at the request of the Prosecutor General's Office. He is currently in a pre-trial detention center. If his guilt is proven, he faces confiscation of property and up to 20 years in prison.