Customs officers at the Astara Customs Department have successfully intercepted and seized a significant quantity of narcotics, specifically marijuana, preventing its illegal circulation within the country.
This information was provided to the Operative Information Center-OMM by the State Customs Committee of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
According to the official report, the incident occurred at the "South-Astara" customs post. A vehicle transporting a shipment of lettuce from Iran to Russia was subjected to a routine scan using a stationary X-ray device. The scan revealed suspicious anomalies within the cargo, prompting a more thorough physical inspection.
During the subsequent search, which utilized a canine unit, officers discovered 191 packages concealed beneath the lettuce. The packages contained a total net weight of 22 kilograms and 565 grams of dried marijuana. An investigation into the incident is currently underway.
Azerbaijan frequently strengthens border security measures to combat the illicit drug trade, particularly along its southern borders. The State Customs Committee remains vigilant in monitoring transit routes to prevent the smuggling of prohibited substances through the country's territory, which serves as a vital logistics hub connecting regional markets.
