Video: Fentanyl-Type Drug Discovered Hidden in Candy Packaging by Armenian Customs

The Customs Enforcement Division of Armenia’s State Revenue Committee has thwarted an unprecedented quantity of fentanyl-type drug smuggling in the region. According to a statement from the Customs Committee, arrests have been made in connection with these smuggling incidents.

“Recently, information was received by the operational intelligence division of the Customs Enforcement Division that a shipment containing narcotics might be imported into Armenia in the name of a U.S. citizen living in Yerevan. To verify the authenticity of this information and to prevent and uncover the possible smuggling case, urgent operational-investigative measures were undertaken by the staff of the Customs Enforcement Division,” the statement reads. “The identity of the mentioned citizen was ascertained, and the shipments intended to be imported in his name were immediately placed under control.”

It is noted that after a few days, employees from the Customs Enforcement Division’s operational intelligence department, along with Zvartnots Airport personnel, discovered 10.8 grams of heroin hidden within the items of a shipment that had been imported into Armenia on behalf of the U.S. citizen A.K. Following the operational investigative measure of “Controlled Delivery and Purchase,” the U.S. citizen was apprehended upon receiving the shipment.

The Customs Committee has continued its operational-investigative activities and analytical work aimed at identifying and uncovering individuals linked to the U.S. citizen. As a result, a new citizen, E.M., came into focus.

“During ongoing operational-investigative measures, information was obtained that a shipment intended for this citizen was to be imported into Armenia and might contain narcotics. A customs inspection was conducted by the Customs Enforcement Division and the National Security Service on the shipment imported in the name of the Armenian citizen, where 80 pills of fentanyl-type narcotics were discovered hidden among packages of candy of the same brand. During the jointly carried out operational-investigative measure of 'Controlled Delivery and Purchase,' the Armenian citizen was arrested while receiving the shipment, and he was taken to his residence for the purpose of conducting a search,” the statement further elaborates.

From the residence, two pieces of Makarov-type firearms loaded with ammunition were also found, along with numerous used syringes containing traces of narcotics. Various other containers with narcotic traces were discovered as well.

The Customs Committee urges citizens to refrain from illegally transporting and using narcotics.