Illegal Drug Trafficking by Pharmacies Discovered

In 2023, the Office of the Prosecutor General conducted a review and summary of criminal proceedings related to the illegal trafficking of drugs and psychotropic substances using computer technology, social media, and telecommunications applications during 2021-2022. This was stated by the Prosecutor General of Armenia, Anna Vardapetyan, during parliamentary hearings on crime rates and the results of reforms, noting that it was revealed that payments for the sold drugs and the subsequent management of the paid digital currency are conducted through individuals operating in the territory of the Republic of Armenia engaged in cryptocurrency exchanges.

Moreover, according to Vardapetyan, in some cases, these individuals are aware of the criminal origin of the cryptocurrencies circulated through them and are directly involved in their legalization. "It has been instructed to examine the amounts transferred to the accounts provided for receiving payments in exchange for drugs and their further movement and management, as well as the nature of the connections between individuals engaged in cryptocurrency exchange, verifying the hypothesis of legalizing property obtained through criminal means and resolving the issue of initiating criminal proceedings on the basis of money laundering," the Prosecutor General said.

In a letter addressed by the Prosecutor General's Office to the Ministry of Internal Affairs dated September 20, 2024, it was proposed to strengthen the legal framework combating illegal drug trafficking through information technology, specifically considering the possibility of introducing a new aggravating characteristic into Article 393, part 3 of the Criminal Code, which prescribes liability for illegal trafficking of drugs aimed at sales, where the act is committed using information or telecommunications technologies, including the internet.

In addition, the studies conducted by the Prosecutor General's Office uncovered instances of illegal trafficking of drugs by entities engaged in pharmaceutical activities. According to Anna Vardapetyan, based on these cases, proposals were submitted by the Deputy Prosecutor General on October 12, 2023, and March 27, 2024, to the Ministry of Health to discuss the suspension of pharmacy activities. As a result of the discussions, three pharmacy licenses were suspended by orders of the Minister of Health on November 15, 2023, and August 1, 2024.