Customs Committee Reveals Illegal Sale of Topsoil

The Customs Committee’s Investigation and Operational Intelligence Department has uncovered cases of unlawful activities as part of its fight against tax violations and economic crimes, according to the Committee's Public Information and Relations Department.

In particular, the department received operational data from the National Security Service indicating that two residents of the Aragatsotn region were engaged in the sale of fertile topsoil.

Upon receiving this information, the staff of the Investigation and Operational Intelligence Department conducted operational-investigative measures. As a result, it was discovered that two residents of the Kuchak community in the Aragatsotn region had illegally removed fertile topsoil from the territories of Kuchak, Vardenis, and Lusakert communities, in violation of the requirements of the RA Land Code. They then sold the illegally extracted soil to various individuals in Yerevan.

The Investigation and Operational Intelligence Department has drafted reports under Article 409 of the Tax Code for an amount totaling 20 million AMD and has initiated administrative proceedings.

The department urges people to refrain from engaging in activities prohibited by the RA legislation, which require licensing or notification, without the necessary licenses or notifications, as well as from using subsoils or natural resources without permission or licensing.