Armenia’s National Security Service (NSS) reports that it has uncovered an illegal fish smuggling ring operating in the country’s Gegharkunik and Kotayk provinces that border Lake Sevan.

The NSS, in a statement issued today, reports that inspections during the past year have revealed some 127 metric tons of illegally harvested Sevan whitefish in community refrigeration units throughout the two provinces.

The NSS says the fish are then packaged and exported via false labelling.

A criminal investigation has been launched.