VIDEO: How 1 Ton of Cocaine Ended Up in Banana Boxes Imported by Mihran Poghosyan's Company

Mihran Poghosyan has released a video message from hiding concerning the recent discovery of 1 ton of cocaine. In the video, he states: "In this extremely difficult period for Armenia and Artsakh, I feel compelled to address the recent scandals surrounding 'Mrgni' LLC, of which I am the actual beneficiary and owner. The company specializes in importing bananas from Ecuador to Armenia and Georgia. It started its operations in 2019. At that time, I asked my friend, Levan Atajanyan, to open the company in his name and personally assume the directorship because I was physically unable to organize everything under my name. I want to emphasize that Levan Atajanyan had no functional responsibilities and did not perform any duties in the organization. The operations of 'Mrgni' LLC are entirely organized and monitored by me daily.

Our organization employs a number of specialists in various fields, including workers, couriers, warehouse managers, import department staff, and market surveillance directors. On May 2nd of this year, 'Mrgni' LLC received another shipment of bananas, during the unloading of which warehouse employees discovered strange packages inside the banana boxes, causing confusion among the workers, drivers, and other present individuals. All approximately 20 people approached and began to examine and discuss what was inside the packages. Shortly thereafter, the boxes with the strange contents were left in a corner on the ramp without being taken to the warehouse, and the unloading of the bananas continued.

I want to emphasize that all this took place in broad daylight in the presence of around 15-20 people. The boxes with the strange contents were later moved to the warehouse, and I was informed. Initially, concerned for the safety and freedom of my relatives and employees, I considered destroying the strange packages. However, later, realizing that this could present a good opportunity for law enforcement to take operational actions concerning drug trafficking, I decided to call the head of the NSS and inform them of the situation.

On May 13th of this year, I called the NSS director’s receptionist, asking for a connection with the director, which remained unfruitful. Shortly thereafter, I called the director's mobile phone, which also yielded no results. I then sent a voice message explaining the situation and requesting immediate action, ensuring the safety and privacy of our employees. Shortly after sending the voice message, the NSS director called me. During the conversation, I meticulously presented the situation once again and expressed my readiness to provide all the information I had.

Shortly after, NSS employees seized 42 banana boxes with the strange contents from the warehouse. The total weight was recorded at 1004 kg. If we subtract the weight of the boxes and pallets, the net weight comes to 926 kg. The entire mass was taken to the NSS. The very next day, I made arrangements for the head of the import department, the warehouse manager, and the director to go to the NSS and present their entire known information in detail.

Let’s highlight a few important points:

• Fact 1: The narcotics ended up in the ordered banana container under strange circumstances, and subsequently in the organization's warehouse.
• Fact 2: No law enforcement agency was informed about this matter.
• Fact 3: I personally informed the director of the National Security Service of the Republic of Armenia, which was shocking for him.
• Fact 4: The organization’s employees have assisted in revealing the circumstances of how these narcotics ended up in their warehouse.
• Fact 5: I did everything to ensure that no other law enforcement agencies, aside from the NSS, were informed about the fact of the narcotics discovery.
• Fact 6: Until May 24 of this year, the NSS maintained confidentiality regarding the business operator, but on May 24 the company’s name was published, followed by all the public statements we are all aware of, seriously jeopardizing the safety of employees and those who reported the narcotics.

After all this, unfortunately, the warehouse manager, head of the import department, and director have been detained. Such actions erode citizens' trust in the government of the Republic of Armenia. The activities of special services like this carry numerous negative consequences. I urge the investigative bodies to refrain from harassing people and, finally, understand that in such absurd cases, the citizen should find protection from their own government. Thus, you can consider my statement as a report and utilize it in the open criminal case.