YEREVAN— Officers from the State Revenue Committee’s (SRC) Anti-Smuggling Department have thwarted a major illegal operation attempting to transport a massive quantity of tobacco products from Armenia to the United States.

The breakthrough came at the "Cargo" freight complex after the SRC received operational intelligence targeting an Armenian-registered business entity. The reports indicated that the company planned to export a large shipment of undeclared tobacco by deliberately concealing it from customs control.

Acting on the intelligence, authorities placed a special export control order on the firm's shipments. During a meticulous inspection of a consignment of laminate doors bound for the U.S., customs officials noticed a critical red flag: the cargo's weight was double that of standard laminate doors.

A physical examination of the doors uncovered 37,900 packs of tobacco products hidden inside the hollow structures. The seized contraband originated from various countries and entirely lacked mandatory excise stamps.

A formal protocol detailing the violation of customs regulations has been drawn up, and the case materials have been forwarded to the SRC’s Legal Department for further action.

Following the seizure, the SRC issued a stern warning to commercial enterprises, urging all business entities to strictly adhere to customs legislation and refrain from any attempts to conceal goods.