Bialystok: Police in northeastern Poland said Tuesday that they arrested a dozen people and dismantled a drug-trafficking group after months of work.

According to Anadolu Agency, police in the Podlaskie region reported the arrest of 12 individuals and the seizure of over 31 kilograms (68.3 pounds) of drugs. The drugs have an estimated black-market value of 1.54 million zloty ($422,026). Authorities confirmed that all individuals were charged with trafficking, with eight also facing charges related to participation in a criminal group. Among these, four are suspected of involvement in an armed group, which remains unidentified.

The police statement noted that these crimes could result in penalties of up to 15 years in prison. The operation began months ago when the police uncovered a criminal drug-trafficking group in the city of Bialystok, leading to the arrest of two individuals. One was charged with drug trafficking and remanded in custody for three months. The other was placed in pretrial detention for the same duration after being charged with trafficking a large quantity of narcotics and psychotropic substances, alongside possession of a firearm without a permit. An unlicensed revolver and 26 rounds of ammunition were recovered from this individual.

Following months of additional investigation, authorities detained 10 more suspects, including two women, further dismantling the criminal network.