As reported, in early October, the State Police (VP), in cooperation with Europol, discovered a synthetic drugs production laboratory in Ziemeri parish of Alūksne municipality, the largest ever found in Latvia. More than one tonne of the illegal substance Clephedrone, with a market value of at least €400 million, was found at the production site. Forensic tests are still ongoing to determine the exact weight and composition of the seized substances, so the amount of seized finished products could increase further.
Residents have been talking about the extensive security and special services presence in Alūksne since Wednesday, October 2, but it was not clear why the police were operating around a warehouse. The State Police only revealed to the general public on Saturday, October 5, that a large-scale drug production facility had been discovered in Ziemeri parish and that several people had been detained in an international operation.
The police did not comment to Latvian Television at the scene last Friday. A response was received only after journalists tried to contact the Minister of the Interior.
Kozlovskis said that the police could have commented sooner.
"Given that Alūksne is also a border town and we live in rather turbulent times, of course, this kind of operation, which is large-scale, would require real comments from senior police officials, reassuring the population that there is no reason to worry in this case and there is no danger," Kozlovskis said.
