YEREVAN, JANUARY 20, ARMENPRESS. Armenian law enforcement agencies discovered and disposed of 73 tons of cannabis and 56.5kg poppy plants (Papaver somniferum, is the source of the crude drug opium which contains powerful medicinal alkaloids such as morphine and has been used since ancient times as an analgesic and narcotic medicinal and recreational drugs. )

The Police HQ told ARMENPRESS in addition 186kg of illegally grown cannabis was discovered from 20 different privately owned lands.

Based on acquired intelligence, police seized around 1kg marijuana, 3.71 grams of cocaine, various kinds of psychotropic substances etc.

During the special operations, law enforcement agencies confiscated 2 illegally possessed handguns.

In addition to the confiscated firearms, several citizens have voluntarily turned in 12 pieces of various firearms, including shotguns and a carbine, as well as a total of 1529 pieces of ammunition.

67 wanted individuals have been apprehended and 26 have been brought in for using narcotics.

Overall 36 criminal cases have been initiated related to the preventive-tactical police operation, which was entitled “Cannabbis-Poppy-2016”. 29 were related to illegal narcotic circulation.

The operation was held August 18-30 and September 19-29 2016 in accordance to the requirements of the plan of CIS member states council of internal affairs ministers, aimed at the implementation of the 2014-2018 Cooperation Program of CIS member states.

The operation’s purpose was discovering and destroying wild-grown or illegally grown cannabis or poppy plants throughout the country, as well as uncovering, preventing and revealing cases of illegal circulation of narcotics.