Illegal Drug Trafficking Chain with Particularly Large Quantities Revealed

The investigation into illegal drug trafficking following the criminal case initiated for attempted drug trafficking has been completed by the Main Investigative Department of the Special Cases Investigation Office of the Republic of Armenia. Charges have been brought against two individuals, one of whom is a citizen of the Islamic Republic of Iran, according to the information and public relations department of the Armenian Investigative Committee.

As a result of investigatory and procedural actions carried out during the pre-trial proceedings, the identities of the individuals who attempted to acquire particularly large quantities of heroin and opium were clarified. According to investigation data, in February 2021, the individual suspected of committing the crime stored a total of 3,065 grams of heroin and 1,951.3 grams of opium in a section of the road leading to the Alvank-Shvanidzor village in the Syunik region, hiding them beneath the ground cover between a wooden electric pole and its base.

While obtaining information during the investigation, it was revealed that the aforementioned individual reached an agreement with an unidentified person, promising monetary assistance, regarding the transfer of the drugs stored in the designated hideout to other locations. Within the framework of a meticulously planned operation, replicas of heroin packages were placed in various sections of the Yerevan-Artashat highway, after which the drug dealer was informed about the locations of the hideouts, leading to the arrest of a 49-year-old Iranian citizen at the moment of drug retrieval.

As a result of extensive measures undertaken during the investigation, another case was uncovered that utilized the same mechanism. On February 23, 2021, a 37-year-old resident of Yerevan attempted to acquire 1,951.3 grams of opium and 730 grams of heroin in the same manner, which came to the attention of law enforcement authorities. After learning about the drug's location through images obtained via mobile applications, the woman coordinated with a close male acquaintance to retrieve the substances. Following the instructions, he traveled to the hideout’s location, discovered the replicas of the drug packages, and picked them up, but was caught by law enforcement at that moment.

Based on sufficient evidence obtained, charges have been brought against the 49-year-old Iranian citizen and the 37-year-old resident of Yerevan under Article 34-266, Part 3, Item 2 of the RA Criminal Code. They have been taken into custody as a measure of restraint. The investigation concerning their case has concluded, and the criminal case has been sent to court with an accusatory conclusion. The investigation continues regarding other parties involved in the illegal drug trafficking chain.

Measures are being taken to identify other individuals who may be part of the criminal chain, locate them, present them to the prosecuting body, and clarify the sources of the drugs' acquisition.

Note: A suspect or defendant accused of a crime is presumed innocent until proven guilty in accordance with the procedure established by the RA Criminal Procedure Code, based on a court decision that has taken effect.