Record Seizure of Smuggled Mobile Phones Worth Around $600,000 Uncovered by the State Revenue Committee

The State Revenue Committee has reported the detection of an unprecedented quantity of smuggled mobile phones.

"Recently, employees of the Investigation and Operational Intelligence Department received operational information indicating that mobile phones were to be smuggled into the Republic of Armenia by air through a company providing postal services from an EAEU member state. In order to implement the received operational information, operational-intelligence measures were developed and undertaken. As a result, the smuggled phones imported into the territory of Armenia through one of the postal service companies from the Russian Federation were discovered in the ‘Cargo’ terminal of the ‘Zvartnots’ airport.

A total of 1,328 phones were found, with an estimated market value of around $600,000. Some models, by the way, are sold in the Armenian market with prices ranging from 600,000 to 1,200,000 AMD. Attempts were also made to smuggle large quantities of tablets, electronic cigarettes, and mobile phone accessories. Notably, all boxes containing the smuggled goods were labeled with the same labels.

A criminal case has been initiated in the Investigation and Operational Intelligence Department of the SRC regarding the apparent crime, under the relevant articles of the Criminal Code. Simultaneously, on the same day, a decision was made by the investigator to seize the aforementioned goods.

The SRC urges companies engaged in postal services not to organize or assist in the smuggling of goods from EAEU member states and third countries into the territory of the Republic of Armenia. In all such cases, measures will be taken to hold air carriers accountable according to international norms.

According to the preliminary assessment conducted in connection with the case, significant damage has been caused to the state. Currently, measures are being taken to clarify the final amount of the damage caused," the SRC's statement read.