A pre-trial investigation is being conducted into the distribution of narcotic substances to minors in Palanga: suspicions have been brought against five persons

Klaipėda County Chief Police Commissariat reports that the port city’s criminal investigators are conducting a pre-trial investigation into the distribution of narcotics to minors in Palanga. Suspicions have been brought against five persons.

It is stated that the investigation was started in May of last year, after receiving a report that a minor studying in one of Palanga’s educational institutions was possibly poisoned by narcotic substances. Law enforcers found out that the minor was smoking an electronic cigarette with a liquid containing psychotropic substances, which was later found in the educational institution.

It was established that other, previously unconvicted, young people living in Palanga – 16 and 19-year-old students of the same educational institution and a 20-year-old boy who was engaged in individual activities – could have been involved in this incident.

In October of last year, the officials of the port city in Palanga arrested the aforementioned nineteen-year-old, who was found in possession of narcotic substances – cannabis and a chopper. During the search of his residence, the officers also found psychotropic substances.

On the same day, the officers in Palanga also detained a nineteen-year-old guy who was suspected of distributing cannabis to a Palanga resident who had been convicted of theft 24 years earlier, was unemployed, and was also found in possession of cannabis.

Last November, in Palanga, on Sodų Street, police officers also arrested a 28-year-old unemployed resident of Palanga city who allegedly distributed cannabis to a 24-year-old boy. Following a search of the residence of this person, who was previously convicted of criminal acts related to illegal possession of narcotic or psychotropic substances and their distribution, cannabis, psychotropic substances, electronic scales and a shredder were found.

In February of this year, after conducting a search of the aforementioned 20-year-old guy’s residence, the officers found a liquid for vaporization with psychotropic substances and a shredder. The next day, after conducting a search of the above-mentioned 16-year-old Palanga schoolboy’s residence, a liquid intended for electronic cigarettes with psychotropic substances was also found.

A 20-year-old boy was charged with distribution of narcotic or psychotropic substances to minors and illegal possession of narcotic or psychotropic substances. 16- and 19-year-old youths are suspected of illegal possession of a small amount of narcotic or psychotropic substances without the intent to distribute them. These three suspects have been given a written promise not to leave.

In addition, a 24-year-old person was charged with illegal possession of narcotic or psychotropic substances with the intent to distribute them, and a 28-year-old man was charged with illegal possession of narcotic or psychotropic substances with the intent to distribute them and illegal possession of narcotic psychotropic substances. These suspects were arrested and taken into custody. Later, pretrial measures were imposed on them – a written promise not to leave and an obligation to periodically register at the police station.

Illegal possession of narcotic or psychotropic substances with the intent to distribute them is punishable by imprisonment from 2 to 8 years. Distribution of narcotic or psychotropic substances to minors is punishable by imprisonment from 3 to 12 years.