VIDEO: Several Cases of Illegal Tobacco Import from Iran Exposed

The Southern Customs Department of the State Revenue Committee continues its relentless fight against the illegal importation of tobacco from the Islamic Republic of Iran. In January 2024, several similar cases were uncovered.

On January 15, customs officials at the Meghri customs checkpoint became suspicious that a truck transporting cement from Iran to Armenia might be concealing tobacco. For thorough inspection, the truck was escorted to the customs control area of the Southern Terminal LLC. During the customs examination, 2,500 cigarette packs were found hidden in the side aluminum profiles of the trailer.

In another incident on January 21, a customs inspection of a truck registered in Georgia carrying metal products from Iran revealed 1,900 cigarette packs hidden in a compartment and beneath a laminated layer fixed to the truck's front wall.

Throughout 2023, employees at the Meghri customs checkpoint identified a total of 56,795 cigarette packs that had been illegally imported from Iran through 117 cases of concealment and non-declaration during customs control. Additionally, in four separate cases, a shipment of 4,950 heated tobacco sticks and 50 heated tobacco electric devices intended for export to Iran was uncovered.

For these incidents, the Southern Customs Department has initiated proceedings for violations of customs regulations under Articles 313 and 316 of the RA Law on Customs Regulation.

Various tricks and concealment methods are employed for the illegal transportation of tobacco from Iran, particularly using pre-prepared compartments in truck and bus structures, as well as utilizing legitimate cargo imported by various companies engaged in legal activities as cover products. Moreover, individuals sometimes conceal tobacco on their bodies and in accompanying luggage.

The SRC urges citizens to refrain from using such tricks and to organize the transportation of goods across the state border of Armenia exclusively through legal means.