Large-scale Attempt to Export Hidden Heated Tobacco Thwarted by Customs

The State Revenue Committee of Armenia is taking continuous steps to reduce shadow economy, prevent tax evasion, and expose customs violations, ensuring tax discipline while protecting the interests of the state and law-abiding business community.

Recently, officials from the Customs Service and the National Security Service jointly prevented an attempt to export large quantities of heated tobacco hidden from customs through the state border of Armenia.

According to the information received, an empty freight truck intended for the transportation of animals entered through the "Bagratashen" checkpoint from the territory of Armenia. Appropriate measures were taken, and the truck was placed under control. The vehicle was directed to an X-ray inspection station.

As a result of the image analysis, a suspicious density was observed in the walls of the truck's elevator, and a decision was made to direct the truck for a thorough inspection. Customs officers, using an endoscopic camera, fixed foreign bodies that did not correspond to the structure of the truck's interior.

With the help of special cutting equipment, cavities were opened where approximately 22,300 boxes of heated tobacco were hidden. The tobacco was arranged in such a way that the existing tapes could be easily pulled to extract the products.

In connection with the incident, a protocol on customs rules violations was drawn up in accordance with Article 313 of the Law on Customs Regulation of Armenia.