As a result of investigative activities carried out by the representatives of the Investigation Service of Ministry of Finance of Georgia, 15 illegally operating currency exchange points were uncovered in the Adjara, Samegrelo and Shida Kartli regions.

Investigation determined that the above-mentioned currency exchange points had been operating without the relevant permit of the National Bank of Georgia, in violation of the requirements established by the legislation.

Based on a court ruling, searches were conducted at 15 locations, during which a particularly large amount of Georgian and foreign currency, computer equipment, and the relevant inventory required for currency exchange operations were seized.

The total value of the seized currency exceeds GEL 356 000. As a result of measures carried out, criminal prosecution has been initiated against 16 persons, 9 of whom have been detained. Intensive investigative activities are being conducted to identify other persons involved in the above-mentioned criminal acts.

Investigation is underway under Paragraph 1 and Subparagraph "b", Paragraph 2 of Article 192 of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which envisages imprisonment from 3 to 5 years.