# Crime and smuggling enforcement in Riga

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/crime-and-smuggling-enforcement-in-riga
> Updated: 2026-10-16T08:13:13.000Z. Sources: 5. Developments: 3.

Law enforcement in Riga, Latvia, has conducted significant operations targeting organized crime and smuggling. Between January and September 2026, the State Police's Riga Region Criminal Police Administration seized over 105 kilograms of narcotics, including amphetamine, marijuana, cocaine, and protonitazene. These operations led to the detention of 89 individuals and the confiscation of assets, such as cash and real estate, valued at more than 724,000 euros. Authorities noted that drug sales are increasingly shifting to digital environments via messaging platforms like Telegram.

In a separate incident in the Katlakalns neighborhood, police intercepted a shipment of 650,000 illegal cigarettes lacking excise stamps. The seizure occurred after officers observed suspicious activity near a garage cooperative, leading to the inspection of a van and trailer.

On October 6, 2026, the State Police detained two Uzbekistan nationals, aged 22 and 25, for large-scale drug trafficking. The suspects, who were residing in Latvia legally as students, were arrested following an investigation that began in May into the use of the Telegram messaging app to distribute drugs across several Latvian cities. A search of their Riga residence yielded approximately one kilogram of amphetamine and 101 packages of various narcotic and psychotropic substances. On October 8, a court ordered pre-trial detention for both individuals. They face potential prison sentences of five to 15 years for the unauthorized sale of narcotics on a large scale.

## Timeline

### 2026-10-16: Latvia detains two Uzbekistan nationals for large-scale drug trafficking

Latvian police arrested two Uzbekistan nationals in Riga for large-scale drug trafficking via Telegram, seizing one kilogram of amphetamine and over 100 packages of other substances.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/latvia-detains-two-uzbekistan-nationals-for-large-scale-drug-trafficking

### 2026-09-28: Riga police seize 650,000 illegal cigarettes in Katlakalns

Riga police seized 650,000 illegal cigarettes in Katlakalns after a man's suspicious behavior led to the discovery of three pallets of unstamped tobacco in his van.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/riga-police-seize-650000-illegal-cigarettes-in-katlakalns

### 2026-09-25: Riga police seize 105 kg of narcotics and detain 89 people

Latvian police in the Riga region have seized over 105 kg of drugs and detained 89 people this year, recovering over 724,000 euros in assets and tackling rising digital drug sales via platforms like Telegram.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/riga-police-seize-105-kg-of-narcotics-and-detain-89-people

---
Cite as: Crime and smuggling enforcement in Riga. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/crime-and-smuggling-enforcement-in-riga