10 Kg of Marijuana Smuggling Scheme Uncovered in Yerevan
Yerevan, June 19 – Armenian law enforcement agencies have successfully dismantled a large-scale drug smuggling operation, seizing 10 kilograms of marijuana and arresting four individuals in Yerevan. The State Revenue Committee’s Department for Combating Smuggling, in cooperation with the National Security Service and the Police, continues its relentless fight against the illegal trafficking of narcotics and psychotropic substances across the Armenian border.
Joint Operation Leads to Key Arrests
According to reports, the Department for Combating Smuggling received operational intelligence indicating that an Iranian citizen was preparing to smuggle a particularly large amount of 10 kilograms of “marijuana” into Armenia. Through extensive operational and investigative measures, authorities identified both the method of drug transportation and the identities of the individuals involved in transporting and receiving the narcotics.
Based on strong suspicions of drug smuggling, two Iranian citizens, H.A. and M.T., were apprehended near a hotel in Yerevan and transferred to the Department for Combating Smuggling. They were subsequently arrested as part of a criminal proceeding initiated under Articles 393 and 399 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Armenia. Following court decisions, both individuals have been remanded in custody.
Further Arrests and Ongoing Investigation
During the ongoing investigative and operational-search activities conducted by officers from the State Revenue Committee’s Department for Combating Smuggling, the National Security Service, the Police Patrol Service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and the General Department for Investigation of Economic Crimes and Smuggling of the Investigative Committee of Armenia, additional information was obtained. It was revealed that a portion of the seized marijuana, specifically 3 kilograms, was intended to be transferred to other individuals within Armenia.
Authorities identified two Armenian citizens who were planning to acquire these 3 kilograms of marijuana for the purpose of sale. Based on well-founded suspicions of acquiring a particularly large amount of drugs for sale, the two Armenian citizens, A.G. and E.Kh., were arrested in the Kanaker-Zeytun administrative district of Yerevan and taken to the Department for Combating Smuggling. They were subsequently arrested as part of a criminal proceeding initiated under the relevant articles of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Armenia.
Searches conducted during the investigation led to the discovery and seizure of items crucial to the criminal proceedings.
Commitment to Combating Drug Trafficking
The operational-investigative and investigative measures are ongoing to identify any other individuals who may be involved in the illegal circulation of these narcotics. This successful operation underscores the unwavering commitment of Armenian law enforcement agencies to combat drug trafficking and protect the country’s borders from illegal activities.
Note: An individual accused of a crime is presumed innocent until proven guilty in the manner prescribed by the Criminal Procedure Code of the Republic of Armenia by a court verdict that has entered into legal force.