Over 9.8 kg of drugs seized on Azerbaijan-Iran border

By Azernews

The State Border Service has prevented over 9.8 kg of drugs, and 2,990 psychotropic pills from being smuggled into Azerbaijan from Iran, the service reported on May 11.

The first incident occurred in the service area of the Goytapa border detachment’s border post near Yardimli region’s Perimbel village at about 1750 on May 6. A border guard serving in the area noticed signs indicating the violation of the state border from Iran to Azerbaijan.

As a result of the operational measures, the area was cordoned off and one unattended blue bag was found in the area.

During the inspection of the package, 2 kilograms of marijuana-like drugs, one guaifenesin drug and one liquid of unknown content were found in the bag.

At about 0230 on May 9, the Goytapa border detachment’s border guard noticed an unidentified individual moving from Iran to Azerbaijan and back in the service area of the border post near the Imishli region’s Aranli village.

As a result of the operational measures, the area was cordoned off and taken under control. The border strip and surveillance equipment was inspected and unknown footprints were found in the area.

As a result of complex border search and operational measures, a car with two suspects was detained on the Bilasuvar-Baku highway.

During the inspection of the car, 7,815 grams of marijuana-like substance and 2,990 methadone-40 psychotropic pills were seized from Baku resident Valiyev Rafig (41), and Absheron resident Aliyoldashov Suleyman (28).

The cases are undergoing the necessary operational and investigative procedures.

Border protection and search operations are underway to ensure reliable protection of the state border and combat drug trafficking and psychotropic substances.

As Iran borders both Afghanistan and Azerbaijan, drugs are traditionally smuggled in from Afghanistan into Iran and then into Azerbaijan. Given Azerbaijan's geographical location, drug traffickers attempt to smuggle drugs into European countries along the Balkan route via the country.

After the restoration of its territorial integrity, Azerbaijan is taking steps to ensure the safety and restoration of order in the liberated lands. One of these measures is to halt the flow of drugs in the region that was previously controlled by Armenia's illegal regime in Karabakh.

Armenia used Karabakh and the surrounding seven regions for illegal activities such as arms and drug trafficking during its 30-year occupation of Azerbaijani territories. Despite the fact that Azerbaijan repeatedly raised the issue with international organizations, Armenia continued in the same vein, creating all of the necessary conditions for the illegal cultivation, production, and distribution of narcotic substances.

Azerbaijan closed the drug trafficking route from Iran to Armenia and then to Europe that used to pass through Jabrayil region.

After Azerbaijan regained control of the 130-km section of the state border with Iran, which had been under Armenian control for 30 years, the country closed the drug trafficking route from Iran to Armenia and then to Europe.