TURKISH NATIONAL DETAINED IN ARMENIA ON DRUG SMUGGLING CHARGES
Interfax, Russia
20 Jan 2014
YEREVAN. Jan 20
Armenian security services detained a Turkish citizen on Saturday,
suspected of involvement in a plan to smuggle about 1 tonne of heroin
to Georgia from Iran across Armenia.
Usman Ugurly, 41, the suspected organizer of a criminal group that
had been planning to smuggle illegal drugs from Iran to Turkey
and further to Georgia across Armenia, was detained in a security
operation in Yerevan on January 18, the Armenian National Security
Service told Interfax.
The Armenian customs stopped a truck that was traveling from Iran
to Georgia at the Megri customs checkpoint on the border with
Iran on Saturday and discovered 927 kilograms of heroin in it - an
unprecedented amount of illegal drugs to have been found in the region.
"Investigators established that a hiding place was fixed in the truck
with the Turkish suspect's participation a few months ago. The Turkish
citizen was detained. The investigation is continuing," the National
Security Service said.
Armenia's State Revenue Committee said the consignment of the illegal
drugs seized is worth $200 million.
A criminal case was started against the suspect on counts of smuggling
illegal drugs, which carry prison confinement of up to four years. The
driver, a citizen of Georgia, 61, was detained, too.
Interfax, Russia
20 Jan 2014
YEREVAN. Jan 20
Armenian security services detained a Turkish citizen on Saturday,
suspected of involvement in a plan to smuggle about 1 tonne of heroin
to Georgia from Iran across Armenia.
Usman Ugurly, 41, the suspected organizer of a criminal group that
had been planning to smuggle illegal drugs from Iran to Turkey
and further to Georgia across Armenia, was detained in a security
operation in Yerevan on January 18, the Armenian National Security
Service told Interfax.
The Armenian customs stopped a truck that was traveling from Iran
to Georgia at the Megri customs checkpoint on the border with
Iran on Saturday and discovered 927 kilograms of heroin in it - an
unprecedented amount of illegal drugs to have been found in the region.
"Investigators established that a hiding place was fixed in the truck
with the Turkish suspect's participation a few months ago. The Turkish
citizen was detained. The investigation is continuing," the National
Security Service said.
Armenia's State Revenue Committee said the consignment of the illegal
drugs seized is worth $200 million.
A criminal case was started against the suspect on counts of smuggling
illegal drugs, which carry prison confinement of up to four years. The
driver, a citizen of Georgia, 61, was detained, too.