12 kg of drugs transferred from Iran discovered in Armenia with arrests made

The investigation is ongoing at the Syunik Regional Investigation Department of the RA Investigative Committee regarding the circumstances of drug smuggling in particularly large amounts and the sale of particularly large quantities of drugs. This was reported by the Investigative Committee.

On January 11, 2024, a report was received by the Syunik Regional Investigation Department from the Kapan division of the RA Police that during operational-investigative measures, a "Chrysler" vehicle was stopped near the village of Jrakaten on suspicion of selling particularly large quantities of drugs. A search of the vehicle revealed substances resembling various types of drugs weighing more than 10 kilograms.

Based on immediate reasonable suspicion of drug smuggling and sale, the driver and passenger of the aforementioned vehicle were arrested and presented to the prosecuting authority. A criminal case has been initiated at the Syunik Regional Investigation Department under Article 393, Part 3, Clause 2 and Article 399, Part 3, Clause 2 of the RA Criminal Code.

It became clear that the total weight of the substances resembling drugs found in the vehicle's cabin was approximately 12 kg. According to the forensic examination, about 4.6 kg was identified as methamphetamine, and 200 grams as heroin. An examination has also been appointed to determine the composition of approximately 6.2 kg of marijuana and substances resembling opium and ecstasy.

As a result of investigative and operational-search measures, it was revealed that the driver and passenger of the vehicle, having prior agreement with unidentified individuals from the Islamic Republic of Iran, traveled on January 11 to the corresponding area of the Armenian-Iranian border, where they received three large polyethylene packages containing drugs smuggled from the territory of the Islamic Republic of Iran. They transferred these into the cabin of the vehicle and left. However, on their way back, they were apprehended by police officers as a result of operational data enforcement.

Based on the facts obtained, public criminal prosecution has been initiated against them, and charges have been brought under Article 393, Part 3, Clause 2 of the RA Criminal Code (circulation of particularly large amounts of drugs for sale) and Article 399, Part 3, Clause 2 (drug smuggling in particularly large amounts). As a preventive measure, they have been placed under arrest.

The pre-investigation is ongoing, and necessary measures are being taken to clarify the source of drug acquisition, as well as the entire chain of illegal circulation.