The preliminary investigation into a criminal case regarding three citizens of the Islamic Republic of Iran who illegally crossed the state border of the Republic of Azerbaijan has been completed by the Investigation Department of the Prosecutor General’s Office.
According to the Prosecutor General’s Office, the investigation established reasonable suspicion that Maktumi Sadiq Arazqurban oglu, Atjani Taher Halat oglu, and Qangirme Omid Chalche oglu smuggled large quantities of narcotic drugs into Azerbaijan for sale.
Investigations revealed that the individuals, acting as part of an organized group, illegally acquired more than 45 kg of dried and over 328 kg of undried marijuana and transported it via a motorboat of the “liner” type across Azerbaijan’s maritime border in the Caspian Sea.
While approaching the coastal area of the Khachmaz district, the suspects allegedly realized they would be detected by border authorities and threw the narcotics into the sea.
Following operational and investigative measures, the drugs were recovered from the coastal waters of Khachmaz and other parts of the Caspian Sea.
Based on the collected evidence, the individuals were charged under Articles 206.3.2, 234.4-1, and 318.2 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan, including illegal border crossing by an organized group and large-scale drug trafficking for sale.
By court decision, they have been remanded in custody. The indictment has been approved and sent to the Sumgayit Court on Grave Crimes for further proceedings.
