Charges Filed Against Four Individuals for Discovery of Secret Drug Manufacturing Laboratory in Yerevan

The Investigative Committee of Armenia has reported the discovery of a secret drug manufacturing laboratory in a two-story house located on Mayrakits Street in Yerevan during an ongoing investigation into the illegal production and cultivation of narcotics.

During a search of the house, authorities uncovered 218 plants resembling cannabis, plastic containers of various weights totaling 6599.199 grams, suspected marijuana, scales with traces of white crystalline substance and greenish plant material, packaged white powdery substances, ultraviolet light-emitting devices, humidifying and drying equipment, fertilizers, containers for cannabis plant cultivation, and an irrigation system.

It was established that the laboratory employed specialists from another country. Based on sufficient grounds for suspicion regarding the commission of the aforementioned crime, four individuals have been arrested, including two women from Yerevan and Vayk, and two men – one a citizen of Russia and the other a citizen of South Korea.

On the basis of collected evidence, they have been charged under Article 393, parts 1, 2, and 3 of the RA Criminal Code for having rented the two-story private house on Mayrakits Street on April 21, 2023, with the intention of producing marijuana. They created special facilities in all rooms of the residence equipped with ventilation and lighting systems, where they grew 218 plants resembling cannabis under controlled conditions for sale and profit.

Subsequently, the mature stems of the tetrahydrocannabinol content cannabis plants cultivated in these special conditions were processed, divided into equal parts, packaged, and sold to others. Two of the arrested men have been remanded in custody as a preventive measure. A motion has been filed with the court requesting custody for the group’s female members as well.

During the ongoing investigation, another object related to drug manufacturing was also discovered. Specifically, a search was carried out in an apartment on Heratsi Street in Yerevan, where approximately 80 packages containing greenish substances, plastic containers with traces of a greenish substance, two bags filled with seed fragments, three smoking devices with ashes, scales, and a glass vessel with traces of greenish substance were found, as well as two metal grinders, a box of disposable gloves, computers, several mobile phones, bank cards, and other items.

An examination has been ordered to determine the composition of the seized drug-like substances. The investigation is ongoing, with necessary measures being taken to clarify all circumstances related to the cultivation and production of narcotics, and to identify all individuals involved in illicit drug trafficking. The police have been instructed to locate these individuals and present them to the investigating authority.

Notice: A person accused of a crime is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court decision that has entered into legal force in accordance with the provisions of the Criminal Procedure Code of RA.