National Security Service Responds to Alleged Smuggling of Cigarette Shipment

About a month ago, on April 28, the Russian newspaper 'Novye Izvestia' published an article stating that the Federal Security Service and Customs of the Russian Federation had seized a smuggled shipment of 40 tons, or 2,700 boxes (with an estimated market value of over 300 million rubles), of various brands of cigarettes with Armenian excise stamps at Krasnodar Airport, originating from a flight from Yerevan.

According to the article, the plane was supposed to reach Afghanistan from Armenia. Considering the interconnectedness of the National Security Service of Armenia (as phrased by the journalist) with the Russian security services, as well as Armenia's membership in the EAEU, 'A1+' sent a query to the NSS regarding the alleged smuggling. The questions sent included: 'How informed is the NSS regarding this case? What information can you disclose? Is the circle of the alleged smugglers clear? Are there any violations or not? Is there a criminal case opened? Are there officials whose names are circulating in connection with this case, and if so, who are they?'

The head of the Department for Economic Security and Anti-Corruption of the NSS, M. Hambardzumyan, responded to our query, stating that according to preliminary investigations, the cigarette shipment was exported from Armenia in accordance with established procedures. 'No information has been received regarding possible violations of customs regulations,' the NSS official's response indicated.