INCRS provokes disputes between government and opposition in Georgia

In its International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR), the US Department of State has included Georgia in the list of countries where income from international drug trafficking is legalized through a bank transfer system. The authorities of Georgia believe there are factual errors in the report prepared by the US Department of State.

"Much of the illegal income in Georgia derives from bank fraud, cybercrime, misappropriation of funds. Since Georgia is located in a significant and well-formed corridor for smuggling, cash smuggling and money laundering are likely to occur," announces the annual International Narcotics Control Strategy Report prepared by the US Department of State and released on its website on March 28.

Mamuka Bakhtadze, the chair of the Georgian government, believes that the report prepared by the US Department of State is very important in its content, but it contains some inaccuracies.

"As for illegal drug trafficking, you know that this geographical area has always been a problem in that regard. Therefore, we actively work with our Western colleagues, and a lot of crimes have been prevented," stated Georgian Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze on the air of the "Imedi" TV Company (as translated from Georgian by a "Caucasian Knot" correspondent).

"Recently, the US Department of State began to more often make factual errors in its reports ... For example, the reports states the drug cultivation in the country is legal and that is actually not the case. It is well known for everyone that the cultivation of drugs, marijuana is not legal in the country," states Tamar Chugoshvili, the Vice-Speaker of the Parliament of Georgia, as quoted by the "Georgia Online".

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on March 30, 2019 at 07:50 am MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.