Investigators Uncover Drug Smuggling Operation from Iran to Armenia; Several Arrested

A criminal group involved in the illegal trafficking and smuggling of drugs in particularly large quantities has been uncovered, with four individuals having been arrested. This was announced by the Investigative Committee of Armenia.

An investigation is underway at the Syunik regional investigative department of the Armenian Investigative Committee to clarify the circumstances of yet another case involving the illegal trafficking and smuggling of drugs in particularly large amounts.

As a result of operational-search measures undertaken by the Syunik regional department of the National Security Service of Armenia, and subsequent investigative and evidence-gathering actions carried out by the investigators of the Syunik regional investigative department, several details of the drug trafficking incident have been revealed, including the identities of four members of the group, who are residents of the Armavir region.

Specifically, it was determined that these four members of the criminal group had reached an agreement with an individual residing in the Islamic Republic of Iran to transport and illegally smuggle various types of drugs into Armenia.

On January 25, 2024, the individuals traveled by car to a border area near Meghri, where, under the direction of the aforementioned Iranian resident, an unidentified person transferred packaged bags containing substances resembling drugs, weighing approximately 13 kg in total, while concealing them from customs controls. Some of these substances were hidden in the aforementioned vehicle by the members of the criminal group, while the others were later concealed in a nearby area for the purpose of retrieval and sale; these items were subsequently found and seized by the investigatory body.

According to the findings of the appointed expertise, it has already been confirmed that 349.15 grams of the identified substance are classified as methamphetamine, and 1,146.58 grams as marijuana, both of particularly large quantities, while testing for the remaining portion is still ongoing.

Based on sufficient evidence, the four individuals have been charged under Article 393, Part 3, Clause 2 of the Criminal Code of Armenia (illegal trafficking of drugs in particularly large quantities for the purpose of sale) and Article 46-399, Part 3, Clause 2 (aiding the smuggling of drugs in particularly large quantities). Requests have been submitted to the court to apply detention as a preventive measure, which have been granted.

The preliminary investigation into the criminal case is ongoing. Necessary measures are being taken to completely clarify the circumstances of the crime and to determine the presence of other individuals involved in the criminal group. Relevant instructions have been given to the appropriate unit of the police,” the statement said.