Armenia seized a shipment of cocaine worth 250 million dollars

Armenian authorities announced today that they seized more than one ton of cocaine worth $250 million, which is one of the largest drug seizures in the history of that small country in the Caucasus.

The shipment from Ecuador was ordered by an Armenian company and was transported via Panama, Italy and Georgia, according to a statement from the National Security Service.

An investigation has been opened, the Armenian Prosecutor's Office announced.

Armenia was also destined for 2,7 tons of cocaine worth 800 million dollars, hidden among bananas from Ecuador and recently seized in Italy.

Drug trafficking is on the rise in Armenia, a country of about three million people. Last year, 743 cases of drug trafficking were recorded in Armenia, and in 2021 there were 420.

This sudden increase put pressure on the Armenian government. In February, Interior Minister Vahe Gazarian was the target of criticism from MPs for the "explosion of drug trafficking".

Opposition lawmaker Agnesa Hamoian condemned the "terrible statistics" that show "the state is not taking any serious measures" to stop the trade, in which, she said, "high officials" were involved.