As a result of the implementation of operative data received in the Yerevan city department of the RA National Security Service, and complex operative-search measures taken with the support of employees of the Syunik regional department, a case of smuggling narcotic drugs in especially large quantities to the territory of the Republic of Armenia from the Islamic Republic of Iran was detected and prevented.

As a result of the complex operative-search measures taken, it was established that the RA citizens V.A. and G.A. together with an Iranian citizen, whose identity has not yet been established, as part of a group by prior agreement, complementing each other’s actions, on October 27, 2023, were going to smuggle from the Islamic Republic of Iran into the Republic of Armenia to import an illegally acquired batch of various narcotic drugs in particularly large amounts with the aim of sales.

As a result of jointly planned and undertaken activities, it was established that on October 27, 2023 in the vicinity of the city of Meghri on the Armenian-Iranian state border, at the place indicated by an Iranian citizen, whose identity has not yet been established, V.A. and G.A. took the batch of narcotic drugs that he had smuggled into the Republic of Armenia and set off in the direction of Yerevan.

The activities of the criminal group were suspended, since the latter’s car was stopped by officers of the RA National Security Service near Meghri city.

Based on the immediate reasonable suspicion of committing a crime, V.A. and G.A. were detained.

The car was delivered to the specially protected territory of the Syunik regional department of the RA NSS, where, as a result of investigative actions, 3 different packages with a total weight of about 12 kilograms filled with narcotic drugs such as heroin, methamphetamine, opium and marijuana were discovered.

Based on this fact, criminal proceedings were initiated in the Syunik Regional Investigation Department of the Investigative Committee of the RA on the grounds of 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.