Residents of Yerevan Sold Drugs in Lori Province via Telegram

On February 29, 2024, operational information was received by the Stepanavan police regarding two young men who had placed drugs at various locations in the city of Stepanavan, Lori Province, using a blue Chevrolet Volt. They had also recorded the locations with a mobile phone for future online sale.

As a result of operational measures, police officers located the individuals in the area known as "Zoraghet Gorge" in Stepanavan on the same day and brought them to the police station. It turned out that the suspects were residents of Yerevan, aged 29 and 37.

A criminal case was initiated the same day by the Lori Regional Investigative Department of the Investigation Committee of Armenia under Part 2 of Article 393 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Armenia.

The men were arrested based on sufficient grounds arising from the direct suspicion of selling large amounts of drugs for distribution purposes.

During the preliminary investigation, it was revealed through procedural and evidential actions, as well as operational-search measures, that the individuals had unlawfully acquired a total of 19.42 grams of marijuana packaged in 34 separate black and white packets from an undisclosed person in the administrative area of Artashat, sent by a user registered on the corresponding Telegram page, between February 24 and 25, 2024. The packaged drugs were then transported to Lori Province on February 29.

For the purpose of receiving compensation, they placed the packets in various locations in the cities of Alaverdi and Stepanavan, which were subsequently discovered and seized during the relevant investigative operation.

Based on a court decision, a search was also conducted in the Chevrolet Volt, where a total of approximately 498.11 grams of marijuana-like substances were found in 385 packages wrapped in self-adhesive tape, as well as glass vials containing liquids and metal containers holding a powdery substance. Further examinations are underway to determine the contents of the discovered substances.

Based on the gathered factual evidence, charges have been brought against the two young men under Parts 1 and 3 of Article 393 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Armenia. A motion was presented to the court to impose detention as a preventive measure, which was granted.

The investigation is ongoing, and measures are being taken to identify other individuals involved in the illegal trafficking of large quantities of drugs for distribution purposes, as well as to clarify other circumstances of the case.

Notice: The accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty in accordance with the procedure established by the Criminal Procedure Code of Armenia, by a legally binding court verdict.