Armenia foils major drug smuggling attempt from Iran

Armenian law-enforcement authorities have intercepted a major shipment of drugs smuggled from Iran into the country.

In a statement on Saturday, the National Security Service (NSS) said a joint operation uncovered that two Armenian citizens, A.M. and S.S., coordinated with an Iranian national to transport a large quantity of narcotics into Armenia on 10 November.

The suspects were apprehended by NSS officers while attempting to move the drugs to Yerevan. A search of A.M.’s vehicle uncovered 26 kilograms of narcotics, including 4.69 kg of methamphetamine and 20.84 kg of marijuana.

The two men have been charged under Armenia's Criminal Code and are being held in custody. The case has been transferred to the Investigative Committee’s general department dealing with drug trafficking.

Additional searches at the suspects' residences uncovered firearms, ammunition, drugs packaged for sale, counterfeit currency, syringes and electronic scales.