Employees of the Astara Customs Office of the State Customs Committee have successfully prevented an attempt to smuggle a large quantity of narcotics into Azerbaijan. The operation took place at the "South Astara" customs post, targeting a transit vehicle traveling from Iran to Russia.
According to the Operative Information Center-OMM, citing official committee sources, the narcotics were discovered during a routine inspection of a cargo truck carrying greens. Suspicious images were observed when the vehicle passed through a stationary X-ray scanner, prompting a more thorough search of the transport unit.
Following the X-ray findings, a specialized service dog was deployed for a comprehensive customs inspection. During the search, officers discovered 51 kilograms and 941 grams of marijuana concealed within the trailer of the vehicle. The seized substances have been classified as an especially large quantity and have been removed from illegal circulation.
The Astara border crossing serves as a critical junction on the International North-South Transport Corridor, connecting South Asia with Northern Europe. Due to its strategic location, Azerbaijani customs authorities have intensified monitoring and technological integration at this post to combat international drug trafficking and ensure regional security. A formal investigation into the incident is currently underway by the relevant authorities.
