NSS Reveals an Organized Criminal Scheme for Illegally Extracting Around 127 Tons of Fish from Lake Sevan

The National Security Service (NSS) of Armenia has uncovered a series of illegal operations concerning the extraction, storage, and smuggling of fish from Lake Sevan, conducted by a group of individuals over several years.

As a result of effective complex measures taken by the NSS, along with urgent investigative actions, numerous cases of illegal fishing activities have been identified in several communities within the Gegharkunik and Kotayk regions. According to the NSS, evidence shows that unidentified individuals, in agreement with each other, illegally extracted 12,200 kg of "Sevan bleak" fish from Lake Sevan without the necessary permits between 2019 and 2020, causing particularly significant damage to wildlife.

Subsequently, the illegally obtained fish was sold to individuals identified as S. S., K. M., and V. G., who transported and stored it in a refrigeration facility operated by a State Non-Commercial Organization in Kotayk.

Moreover, the investigation revealed that these unidentified individuals also extracted 46,689 kg of bleak fish illegally within the same time frame and caused significant harm to wildlife. The fish was sold to persons identified as S. M. and K. M., who stored it in a refrigeration facility located in the Nor Artamet community of Kotayk.

A criminal case has been initiated at the NSS Investigation Department, and the investigation is ongoing. Immediate investigative actions, including around two dozen searches, conducted with the participation of staff from the Armenian Nature Protection and Mining Inspection Body, led to the discovery of a total of 127.171 kg of "Sevan bleak" fish stored in frozen condition at various refrigeration facilities across the administrative territories of Kotayk and Gegharkunik regions.

Based on sufficient evidence gathered in the case, three individuals have been charged, with a measure restricting their departure being chosen. It is important to note that the factual data concerning the criminal case indicate that those involved in the illegal fishing activities had previously developed a criminal scheme, wherein residents of villages within the administrative territories of the regions were engaged in illegal fishing, selling the illegally caught fish. The fish was stored in refrigeration facilities owned or rented by them and was regularly sold either within Armenia or smuggled out under the guise of different fish species.

To uncover the pathways for the sale of illegally extracted fish, the NSS prevented the illegal export of around 4.2 tons of smoked "Sevan bleak" fish at the Bagratashen customs checkpoint and the cargo complex of Zvartnots Airport, falsely presented as "mackerel" in the export documentation.

The investigation continues, with active measures being taken to clarify the full range of individuals involved in the criminal scheme, to personalize the actions of each, to fully restore damages caused to the state, and to prevent ongoing environmental violations, emphasizing the state’s commitment to environmental issues. The NSS will continue to implement necessary actions to prevent, detect, and combat public threats to nature's resources and urges the public to refrain from illegal actions that jeopardize environmental safety.