At a regional conference today in Yerevan regarding the illegal drug trade, former Armenian prosecutor general Aghvan Hovsepyan noted that Armenia must pay greater attention to combating the menace because Armenia might become a transit country.

“A new Caucasian group trading in illegal drugs seems to be forming in the TransCaucasus in which the regional countries are also involved. Given this, it is very important that the effectiveness of combatting such trade in Armenia must be raised,” Hovsepyan said.

Another participant at the conference, Davit Avetisyan, President of the RA Court of Cassation’s Criminal Chamber, noted that the legal drive against the cultivation of botanicals containing narcotics isn’t all that effective in Armenia since the laws on the books are vague.

Also present was U.S. Ambassador to Armenia John Heffern who told reporters afterwards that international cooperation in the war on the illegal drug trade was vital to be effective.

Reporters also asked Heffern to give his views on a number of legal reforms now being discussed in Armenia.

Heffern responded that the U.S. has been working with Armenia for the past ten years towards reforming the judicial and legal systems and that just like in many countries, including the U.S., the challenges are many.

Heffern concluded by saying that Armenia has made progress in reforming the justice sector and that the U.S. will continue to work and collaborate with Armenia to achieve the best conditions possible.