The Specialised Inter-District Criminal Court of the Almaty Region has pronounced a verdict against seven foreign nationals who were part of a transnational organised criminal group. The convicted individuals have been sentenced to imprisonment for terms of 19 to 20 years.
WHAT DECISION DID THE COURT HAND DOWN
According to the Almaty Region Prosecutor's Office, the defendants were found guilty of involvement in a transnational organised criminal group engaged in the production and sale of synthetic drugs.
The state prosecutor presented evidence in court which, it is noted, confirmed the guilt of the defendants. Based on the materials examined in the criminal case, the court sentenced them to imprisonment for terms of 19 to 20 years.
WHAT WAS UNCOVERED DURING THE INVESTIGATION
Under the coordination of the regional prosecutor's office, police officers uncovered three illegal drug laboratories. During searches, more than 90 kg of ready-made synthetic psychotropic substances, over 1 tonne of precursors and chemical components, as well as equipment used for their manufacture, were seized from illicit circulation.
According to expert estimates, the value of the seized substances on the 'black market' exceeds 1.5 billion tenge.
Additionally, the court ordered the forfeiture to the state of three residential houses and vehicles belonging to the convicted individuals.
WHAT WAS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF CRACKING DOWN ON THE GROUP
The Almaty Region Prosecutor's Office reported that the activities of the organised network were halted. According to the agency, the group posed a serious threat to public safety and could have facilitated the large-scale spread of narcotics in Almaty and the Almaty Region.
The court's verdict has not yet entered into legal force.