As a result of the implementation of operational data obtained in the Yerevan City Department of the National Security Service of RA, and the operative-search measures undertaken with the support of employees of the Syunik Regional Department and employees of the Meghri Detachment of the Border Department of the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation in the Republic of Armenia, a case of smuggling of narcotic drugs in especially large quantities, as well as weapons, ammunition from the Islamic Republic of Iran to the territory of the Republic of Armenia, was detected and prevented.

As a result of the complex operative-search measures taken, it was established that a citizen of RA R.P., together with a certain citizen of the Islamic Republic of Iran, whose identity has not yet been established, as part of a group, by prior agreement, complementing each other's actions, on May 18, 2023, were going to smuggle from the Islamic Republic of Iran to the Republic of Armenia illegally acquired narcotic drugs of various types in especially large quantities, as well as weapons, ammunition for the purpose of sale.

As a result of jointly planned and undertaken activities, it was established that on May 18, 2023, R.P. in the vicinity of the city of Meghri on the Armenian-Iranian state border, in the place indicated by the citizen of the Islamic Republic of Iran, whose identity has not yet been established, took away the above-mentioned consignment of narcotic drugs, weapons and ammunition smuggled into RA, however, he showed discretion and, in order not to be discovered, hid them near the border strip of the Armenian-Iranian state border and left. Then, on May 19, R.P. involved the citizens of RA, residents of the Kajaran community of the Syunik province, M.P. and A.Q., in the above-mentioned criminal actions, instructed the latter to leave Kajaran in the Toyota car used by A.Q., go to the border strip of the Armenian-Iranian state border and pick up a consignment of narcotic drugs, weapons, ammunition from the cache described by him and transport them to Kajaran.

The activities of the criminal group were suppressed, as the car was stopped near the city of Meghri by the officers of the National Security Service of RA and the officers of the Meghri Detachment of the Border Department of the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation in the Republic of Armenia.

R.P., A.K. and M.P. were detained on the basis of a direct justified suspicion of committing a crime.

The car was delivered to the specially protected area of the Syunik Regional Department of the NSS of RA, where, as a result of investigative actions, 20 different packages filled with narcotic drugs such as heroin, methamphetamine and marijuana with a total weight of more than 10 kilograms were found, as well as 2 foreign-made combat pistols with 20 cartridges for them.

On this fact, criminal proceedings have been initiated in the Syunik Regional Investigation Department of the RA Investigative Committee on the grounds of Article 393, Part 3 and Article 399, Part 3, Clause 2 of the RA Criminal Code.

The preliminary investigation continues.

Note: anyone charged with a crime is considered innocent as long as his/her guilt is not proven in a manner prescribed by the Code of Criminal Procedure of RA - by the court decision entered into legal force.