Customs Committee Discovers 15 Packages of ‘Mephedrone’ and ‘α-PVP’ Drugs

The Anti-Smuggling Department continues its efforts against the illegal transportation of drugs and psychotropic substances across the borders of the Republic of Armenia. Recently, employees of the Anti-Smuggling Department and the Western Customs Office of the RA Customs Committee conducted joint oversight at the postal exchange center of the ‘HayPost’ company.

As a result, approximately 372 grams of crystalline substance of the drug ‘mephedrone’ was found inside an international postal shipment imported from Ukraine. It was concealed within containers of cosmetic products.

Following this incident, employees of the Anti-Smuggling Department and the Criminal Police Department of the RA Police initiated a series of urgent operational and investigative measures, specifically the method of ‘controlled delivery and procurement.’ Consequently, in Yerevan, after receiving the package containing the substance ‘mephedrone’ at the ‘HayPost’ postal office, a 17-year-old minor identified as M.S. was discovered and detained. He expressed willingness to assist law enforcement agencies.

Within this framework, various locations in the Nor Nork administrative district were searched, resulting in the discovery of approximately 475 grams of various types of drugs, packed in 15 packages that were intended to be sold through the mobile application ‘Telegram.’

Through ongoing and extensive operational and investigative measures, information was obtained indicating that M.S. had rented an apartment in Yerevan, where it was also possible that drugs might be present.

According to the decision of the Yerevan City Court of First Instance, the apartment was also searched by employees of the Anti-Smuggling Department and the Criminal Police Department. Here, 404 grams of a crystalline substance resembling ‘α-PVP,’ 185 grams of a liquid substance resembling ‘α-PVP,’ 40 grams of drug-like substance packaged in 16 packages, and various tools for weighing and packaging drugs, including a gas mask, were discovered.

A criminal case has been initiated in the Investigative Department of the RA Customs Committee based on the provisions of Article 267.1, Part 4, Clause 1 and Article 266, Part 3, Clause 2 of the RA Criminal Code regarding the discovered facts. M.S. has been arrested.

Note: A person charged with a crime is presumed innocent until proven guilty in accordance with the law and by a valid court verdict.