The conflict over the control of tobacco products in the capital city of Armenia, Yerevan, is still ongoing. The Yerevan Municipality’s Public Relations Department, the Avan and Nor Nork Districts of the Administrative Department, and law enforcement and security forces have discovered that a resident of Yerevan, aged 21, has been responsible for a large-scale distribution of tobacco products. The individual established connections through the “Telegram” mobile application and made arrangements with a user on the “L…” page to distribute packages filled with “Marichuan” tobacco products throughout Yerevan. In May 2024, with the assistance of individuals involved in illicit activities in the Ararat and Kotayk provinces, the 21-year-old brought and stored a total of 112 packages of “Marichuan” tobacco products in a car. Law enforcement officers discovered these packages during a personal search and investigation, and it has been determined that tampering has taken place, which is a punishable offense under the Criminal Code of Armenia.

The investigation is currently ongoing, and efforts are being made to determine the extent of involvement of other individuals in the distribution of these tobacco products.