Azerbaijan’s State Customs Committee has prevented the transit of a particularly large quantity of narcotics through the country as a result of comprehensive operational-search and customs-control measures carried out by officers of the Astara Customs Department.
Operative Information Center-OMM, citing the committee, reports that a truck carrying a shipment of "lettuce" and "celery" from the Islamic Republic of Iran to the Russian Federation was stopped on the import inspection line at the Astara customs post and placed under customs control.
The vehicle was examined using a stationary X-ray scanner and with the assistance of a customs canine unit. The inspection revealed packages concealed in the cargo.
During the search, 79 kilograms and 740 grams of marijuana were found in 230 "celery-shaped" packages hidden from customs control. An investigation into the case is underway.
Astara is one of Azerbaijan’s key customs points on the southern border and handles cargo traffic between Azerbaijan, Iran and destinations farther north. Customs authorities routinely use scanning systems and trained dogs to detect concealed goods and prevent the illegal transit of drugs.
