In the result of investigative and operative coordinated and planned actions conducted by the investigators and police officers within the framework of the criminal proceeding initiated in the division of Investigation of Grave Crimes of Yerevan Investigative Department of the RA Investigative Committee a large criminal group engaged in illegal turnover of narcotic drugs in particularly large amount was disclosed.

Particularly, through investigation it was found out that in February – March, 2023 V.H. reaching criminal agreement with a group of people, with the intent to get engaged in sale of narcotic drugs in particularly large amount, at the office area operating in Sebastia Street, Yerevan illegally procured, kept and sold drugs of “Methamphetamine”, “Methadone”, “Elezde”, “Antrotsen”, “Chrystal”, “Heroine” and other similar types.

Through the criminal proceeding it was found out that separate members of the criminal group periodically procured drugs from V.H. for different amounts to sell them to unidentified persons, and some of the members of the group provided the movement of the group members by car thus supporting the criminal actions.

In the result of collaborative work of the law enforcement bodies 9 members of the group, among them V.H. were arrested on the base of reasonable suspicion of committing criminal acts. Through personal search of some of them as well as searches conducted in the apartments, masses similar to drugs of “Chrystal”, “Marijuana” type were found.

Through simultaneous search conducted at the mentioned office area in Sebastia Street, Yerevan actually operated by V.H. 500 bottles of “Ecstasy”, 6 bottles of “Hashish” oil, 40 packets of drug of “Marijuana” type with a total weight of 739 grams, 3 packets of chrystal-like mass with weight of 588 grams most of which in zip packets were found.

In the gas stove in the kitchen 187.700 Euros and 46.500 USD, as well as numerous notebooks, register-books, pieces of paper of different sizes on which there were hand written notes on buy and sale of drugs which certify V.H.’s engagement in illegal turnover of narcotic drugs in particularly large amount were also found.

During the proceeding all the transport means to be searched were found in the yard of the mentioned office area which are actually used by V.H..

Through the search conducted at the mentioned area a gun with a note “Detective Speo” on it charged with 6 bullets was also found wrapped in a cloth hidden in a cognac box.

Motions on initiating public criminal prosecution against them were submitted to prosecutor by the investigative body, which were sufficed.

On March 23, 2023 charge was pressed against V.H. according to the Point 2 of the Part 3 of the Article 393 and the Part 1 of the Article 335 of RA Criminal Code, charge was pressed against 4 of the group members according to the Point 2 of the Part 3 of the Article 393 of RA Criminal Code, 1 – according to the Point 3 of the Part 2 of the Article 46-393 of RA Criminal Code and 3 – according to the Point 2 of the Part 3 of the Article 46-393 of RA Criminal Code.

A motion was submitted to court to use detention as a pretrial measure against them. The court sufficed the motions on 8 of them and rejected the motion on 1 and absence ban was chosen as a pretrial measure against him.

Preliminary investigation is ongoing.

Necessary measures are taken to find out the source of procurement of narcotic drugs, the frame of those possibly involved in the criminal group.

Note; Everyone charged with alleged crime offence shall be presumed innocent until proved guilty according to law.