Officers of the Astara Customs Office of the State Customs Committee have successfully intercepted a significant attempt to smuggle a large quantity of narcotics into the country, preventing the illegal circulation of drugs in Azerbaijan.
The Operative Information Center-OMM reports, citing the Committee, that the seizure occurred at the "Astara" customs post during a thorough inspection of a vehicle transporting a cargo declared as "mixed dried fruits." Customs officials utilized a stationary X-ray scanner and a service dog from the canine unit to identify suspicious densities within the shipment.
During the physical inspection, officers discovered 112 kilograms and 529 grams of marijuana hidden beneath layers of dried fruit to evade detection. An investigation into the smuggling attempt is currently underway to identify the individuals involved in the trafficking network.
The Astara border crossing, located on Azerbaijan's southern frontier with Iran, remains a critical point for monitoring international transit. In recent years, the State Customs Committee has significantly modernized its technical capabilities, deploying advanced scanning equipment and specialized units to combat the transit of illicit substances along the North-South transport corridor. Azerbaijan continues to play a pivotal role in international efforts to curb the global drug trade through enhanced border security and regional cooperation.
