Iranian and Russian Citizens Illegally Acquired and Distributed Large Quantities of Drugs in Armenia

Citizens of the Islamic Republic of Iran, A. Lu., S. M., and a citizen of the Russian Federation, M. Sh., illegally acquired, possessed, and transported large quantities of drugs for distribution with the assistance of another Iranian citizen, A. L.

During the preliminary investigation, it was revealed that S. M. created and operated a shopping platform on the Telegram application with A. Lu. and M. Sh. for the purpose of distributing drugs. S. M. and A. Lu. illegally acquired 228.1725 grams of hashish, 46.9189 grams of methamphetamine, 5.8299 grams of psilocybin, and 0.001481 grams of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) from two Iranian citizens who arrived in Armenia on July 4, 2022, identified as H. Q. and S. H.

The acquired drugs were illegally stored in their actual residence, located in the village of Dzorakap, Ani community, Shirak Province. On July 29, 2022, members of the group illegally transported the drugs, packaged in 19 parcels, to the city of Gyumri. M. Sh., with A. L.'s assistance, affixed the hashish to the wall of a building at 8 Lalayan Street in Gyumri with adhesive tape and photographed the location to provide information to the person acquiring the drugs.

M. Sh. and A. L. were arrested by police officers, and the remaining drugs, which were illegally stored for distribution, were discovered in their home in Dzorakap. On the same day, A. Lu. and S. M. were also arrested by the police.

On July 7, 2023, a public criminal prosecution was initiated against S. M., A. Lu., M. Sh., and A. L. under Part 2 of Article 393 of the Criminal Code (illegal circulation for the purpose of distribution or illegal distribution of drugs, psychotropic substances, their preparations, or equivalent substances (analogs) or their derivatives).

They have been remanded in custody as a measure of restraint. On July 14, 2023, the supervising prosecutor confirmed the indictment and forwarded the materials of the criminal proceedings to the first instance court of general jurisdiction of Shirak Province.

Notice: The accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty in accordance with the procedures prescribed by the Criminal Procedure Code by a legally valid court verdict.