Video: Approximately 280 Tons of Butter and Cream Imported into Armenia Without Customs Payments via 11 Trucks

The Investigation and Operational Intelligence Department of the RA State Revenue Committee, along with the Southern Customs Directorate, has uncovered a significant case of the illegal importation of goods from the Islamic Republic of Iran without customs payments as part of efforts to combat economic crimes.

Specifically, operational information indicated that a group of individuals was preparing to illegally import large quantities of butter and cream from Iran into Armenia without making customs payments. In response to the operational data received, comprehensive and extensive operational-investigative measures were taken over approximately three months.

Evidence showed that a criminal scheme had been organized and executed by a group, which allowed them to evade particularly large tax payments by falsifying documents that exempted them from obligations. Accordingly, approximately 280 tons of butter and cream were imported into the Republic of Armenia through 11 trucks registered under the 102nd Russian military base located in Armenia, amounting to a total value of $750,000.

Before the deliveries reached Armenia, the criminal group prepared and sent a fake document to the RA State Revenue Committee stating that the goods imported via the 11 trucks were intended for the needs of the 102nd Russian military base in Armenia, and demanded immediate exemption from customs duties based on a secret agreement between the governments of Russia and Armenia.

To ensure the multifaceted and comprehensive nature of the operational-investigative measures and to identify all individuals involved in the criminal chain, as well as the true owners of the imported goods, the shipments were released in a concealed manner, monitored continuously by State Revenue Committee employees.

During this time, the trucks moved from the Meghri border crossing to the customs terminal located in Yerevan. After customs clearance, they exited the terminal but did not go to the storage facilities of the 102nd Russian military base; instead, they parked in a parking lot near Yerevan and remained there for three days.

During this period, it was established that the imported goods had no connection to the Russian military base, and all participants in the criminal scheme were identified. Based on the evidence obtained, a preliminary assessment of the damage caused to the state was carried out, estimating approximately 170 million AMD in damages.

In connection with the incident, a criminal case was initiated in the Economic Crimes and Smuggling Investigation Department of the RA Investigative Committee. At the same time, all trucks were moved from the parking lot under the supervision of State Revenue Committee employees to a controlled zone.