Eco-Patrol Officers Accused of Trafficking 18.3kg of Marijuana

During the preliminary investigation of a criminal proceeding being examined in the Department for Investigation of Trafficking in Human Beings, Crimes against the Sexual Integrity of Minors, and Illicit Drug Trafficking of the General Department for Investigation of Particularly Important Cases of the RA Investigative Committee, it was substantiated and confirmed that a group of individuals, with the prior agreement to illegally acquire drugs for the purpose of sale, on September 8, 2025, illegally acquired a particularly large amount—18.3 kg of the narcotic drug "Marijuana."

Subsequently, eco-patrol officers A.M. and B.A. of the Eco-Patrol Service of the RA Ministry of Environment traveled to the Syunik region to pick up the particularly large amount of the narcotic drug. After taking the drugs, the eco-patrol officers placed it in a car registered in the name of A.M.'s mother and, with the aim of concealing the process of transporting the drugs to Yerevan city, created the illusion that the car was broken down. A.M., on B.A.'s instruction, contacted a resident of Kapan city in the Syunik region on September 8, 2025, using his phone number, and arranged to have the car transported to Yerevan city for a fee.

After the car reached Yerevan city, group member A.M. approached the driver, took the key to the drug-laden car, brought it down, and parked it, after which he was arrested by officers of the Patrol Service of the RA Ministry of Internal Affairs. During a search, the particularly large amount—18.3 kg of the narcotic drug "Marijuana"—hidden in the car was found and seized.

During the preliminary investigation, a public criminal prosecution was initiated against A.M., B.A., and A.M. under Article 393, Part 3, Clause 2 of the Criminal Code (Illicit trafficking of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, their precursors, or their equivalent substances (analogs) or their derivatives in particularly large amounts for the purpose of sale or their illegal sale).

Detention has been applied as a measure of restraint against them.

The criminal proceeding regarding the three individuals, along with the indictment, has been sent to the supervising prosecutor.