VIDEO: A Batch of Empty Laundry Detergent Bags Imported from Russia and Packaged with Unknown Products

The State Revenue Committee (SRC) conducts daily operations to prevent, thwart, and uncover tax and customs violations and offenses as part of its legally reserved functions, alongside its responsibilities of tax and customs supervision and law enforcement.

The Investigation and Operational Intelligence Department regularly receives operational data indicating that various individuals and certain organizations are developing criminal mechanisms with the direct intention to evade taxes. Specifically, while implementing this operational data, it became known that individual entrepreneur A. K. had planned to import a large batch of empty polyethylene bags for laundry detergent from the Russian Federation. These bags were to be used for packaging unknown-origin laundry detergents and reselling them within the territory of the Republic of Armenia.

As a result of operational and investigative measures undertaken, the products imported under the SRC employees' operational control were moved from customs supervision to the premises of one of the markets operating in Yerevan. From there, they were supplied to one of the addresses in Yerevan, where a certain Sh. A. was engaged in entrepreneurial activities.

As a result of the urgent actions taken by the employees of the SRC's Investigation and Operational Intelligence Department, it was established that laundry detergent production was organized at the mentioned address. A total of 30,100 empty 9 kg polyethylene bags of a well-known laundry detergent brand imported from the Russian Federation were planned to be filled and sold as approximately 270 tons of counterfeit laundry detergent.

During the on-site inspection, the batch of bags as mentioned above was seized, along with already packaged counterfeit laundry powders bearing two other well-known brands.

Regarding the alleged criminal act, a criminal case has been initiated in the SRC's Investigation and Operational Intelligence Department under the provisions of Article 212 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Armenia.

The SRC's Investigation and Operational Intelligence Department will demonstrate consistency in preventing and uncovering such phenomena while being uncompromising in its efforts.

Notice: A suspect or accused individual is considered innocent until proven guilty in accordance with the procedure established by Armenia’s criminal procedure code with a legally binding court verdict.