The National Security Service of the Republic of Armenia, within the implementation of its functions aimed at combating trafficking and smuggling of drugs, detected and neutralized another criminal group engaged in smuggling and selling of drugs in particularly big amount on the territory of the Republic of Armenia.

In particular, according to the data obtained as a result of operative-search activities conducted by operative units of the NSS of RA, 3 citizens of the Islamic Republic of Iran smuggled through the Meghri BCP of the Armenian-Iranian border drugs – opium – in particularly big amount for the purpose of their selling in the Republic of Armenia, which they subsequently hid in an apartment rented in Yerevan. 2 accomplices in Armenia, who were under the operative surveillance of officers of the NSS of RA, on 2 November 2018 attempted to sell in Yerevan 1454 grams of opium, but they were detained at the time of transferring the batch.

Within the framework of the criminal case initiated on the fact by the Investigation Department of the NSS of RA, the citizens of the Islamic Republic of Iran E.K. and H.B. were arrested, and as a result of the search conducted in the places of their residence another 9 grams of opium were found.

The preliminary investigation goes on. Measures are being taken to identify and detect other persons associated with the criminal group.

Note: The suspect or accused of an alleged crime is considered innocent as long as his guilt is not proven in a manner prescribed by the Code of Criminal Procedure of RA - by the court decision entered into legal force.