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Minister of Internal Affairs Arpine Sargsyan has met with personnel from the Anti-Drug Trafficking Division of the Criminal Police, with top brass in attendance.
Colonel Vardan Vardanyan, Deputy Police Chief and Head of the General Directorate of Criminal Police, briefed officials on the current situation regarding drug trafficking, the Ministry of Internal Affairs said in a press release.
According to police data, 2,161 drug-related crimes were documented between January and July this year, with 59.3% of cases falling under the jurisdiction of the Criminal Police.
A total of 301 kg of narcotics were seized in the first half of the year—double the amount compared to the same period last year.
Fifteen criminal syndicates were uncovered, and 30 Telegram channels selling drugs were blocked, among other successful anti-trafficking operations.
Sargsyan praised the Anti-Drug Trafficking Division’s overall efforts but ordered intensified measures to combat drug smuggling and online sales. The Minister noted that although most narcotics are smuggled from abroad, the police must also work to uncover potential illicit drug laboratories.
She emphasized the importance of close cooperation between law enforcement agencies and international partners.
“The Criminal Police must deal with large-scale cases, breaking the smuggling-sale chain,” she said.
Sargsyan also instructed officials to monitor the efficiency of regional police divisions.