Around 1.2 Billion Drams Worth of Drugs Seized

The Investigative Committee of Armenia has conducted extensive investigative and procedural actions within the framework of a criminal case regarding economic crimes and smuggling. Evidence has been collected indicating that foreign nationals residing in Armenia assisted in smuggling significant quantities of illegal drugs, specifically 25.5 kg of opium and 3 kg of marijuana, into the country.

One of the foreigners allegedly attempted to smuggle two packages containing opium, weighing a total of 13.8 kg, from Armenia to Germany and one package to Great Britain. However, he was apprehended by officials from the Armenian State Revenue Committee (SRC).

The detainee, identified as M.K., accompanied SRC officials to his residence and presented packages containing a total of 8677 grams of opium and 2680 grams of marijuana, as well as a fireproof cabinet suspected of containing more drugs, all of which were seized during the proceedings. At the same time, other members of the criminal group, foreigners R.Sh. and M.A., were also arrested and presented to the prosecuting body.

Diligent searches at the foreigners' residence and inspections of the fireproof cabinet uncovered a significant amount of controlled substances. In total, 25.5 kg of opium and 3 kg of marijuana, with an estimated market value of around 1 billion 193 million 445 thousand drams, were seized.

R.Sh. and M.K. have been charged under Part 3, Clause 2 of Article 393 of the Criminal Code (for the illegal circulation of drugs with the aim of selling or distributing them illegally) and under Part 3, Clause 2 of Article 44-399 (attempted smuggling of drugs), while M.A. faces charges under the same Article 393 and additional clauses regarding facilitation of drug smuggling. Detention has been ordered as a measure of restraint against the accused.

The criminal investigation is ongoing, with extensive evidential and procedural actions being taken to identify other individuals involved in the acquisition of substantial quantities of drugs in Armenia.

Notice: A person accused of a crime is presumed innocent until proven guilty in accordance with the procedures established by the Criminal Procedure Code and by a legally binding court verdict.