Large Quantities of Drugs Smuggled from Iran to Armenia

The Armenian Investigative Committee's regional investigative department in Syunik has initiated investigative and procedural actions to clarify all circumstances surrounding the illegal circulation of narcotics imported from the Islamic Republic of Iran through smuggling.

On July 15, 2023, based on operational data received from the National Security Service of the Republic of Armenia, joint efforts were made by the officers of the NSS of Syunik, as well as the police of the RA in Syunik and the Sisian division. At approximately 04:30 that day, vehicles including an "Opel Astra 1.6" and a "Mercedes Benz S430" were halted on the 200th km section of the Yerevan-Meghri highway.

During the operation, the driver of the "Opel Astra 1.6", failing to comply with the legal request of a police officer to stop the vehicle, attempted to flee and collided with the officer's attached "Toyota Corolla". As a result, one police officer was injured and taken to the hospital, while a passenger in the "Opel Astra 1.6" sustained a head injury.

In the vehicle, three bundles with a sharp distinctive odor characteristic of narcotics were found in plain sight, packed in polyethylene and aluminum foil. In connection with this incident, a criminal proceeding was initiated under Articles 342 part 1, 393 part 3 point 2, and 399 part 3 point 2 of the RA Criminal Code. The three men involved were arrested on reasonable suspicion of having committed the crime.

During the preliminary investigation, a search of the "Opel Astra 1.6" driven by an individual from Armavir resulted in the discovery of a total of 22.31 kg of marijuana, 237.84 g of methamphetamine, 0.985 kg of a substance resembling cannabis, 0.69 g of a white pill marked as "Bs", and two glass tubes.

According to the findings of the forensic examination, the crystalline white substance in a transparent polyethylene package weighing 237.47 grams is identified as methamphetamine, while the brown, uniquely odorous plant substance in a transparent polyethylene package weighing 981.43 grams is identified as hashish. Investigations into the other packages are ongoing.

Throughout the investigation, a letter was received from the Sisian division of the police stating that the three men were involved in the illegal circulation of narcotics imported from Iran. Operational investigative measures confirmed that the crime was organized by a 46-year-old man who, having previously coordinated with other members of the group, assumed the responsibility of distracting law enforcement’s attention to allow the drug-laden "Opel" to travel unimpeded from Meghri to Yerevan.

Based on the gathered evidence, charges have been filed against the three men under the characteristics of Article 393 part 3 point 2 of the RA Criminal Code. A motion has been submitted to the court to select detention as a measure of restraint against them. The investigation continues.