Armenia to implement blacklists at airports to combat smuggling

Armenia’s State Revenue Committee plans to introduce blacklists at airports to identify and monitor individuals deemed to pose a high risk of smuggling during baggage inspections.

As Caliber.Az reported, citing Armenian media, the announcement was made by the Chairman of the State Revenue Committee, Eduard Hakobyan, during a press conference.

According to Hakobyan, the blacklist will include people who have previously violated customs regulations or attempted to transport goods across the border illegally. The initiative, he said, aims to strengthen customs control and reduce smuggling incidents.

Hakobyan noted that he had personally encountered such activities before joining the committee.

“For instance, at Dubai Airport, one of our compatriots offered to help me bring goods into Yerevan, and during the flight, smuggled phones were being openly handed out for the same purpose,” he said, adding that he naturally declined such offers.

The committee chairman emphasised that the introduction of this system will also help eliminate the subjective element in customs procedures, reducing the likelihood that honest travellers will face unnecessary and intrusive checks.

Hakobyan further stated that cooperation has been established with Armenia’s national security agencies. Within this framework, the National Security Service (NSS) will provide the State Revenue Committee’s officers with information about passengers listed on similar blacklists maintained by foreign airports.

By Tamilla Hasanova