YEREVAN, OCTOBER 28, NOYAN TAPAN. The number of crimes related to illegal turnover of drugs consideraly grew in Armenia in the first nine months of 2009, Colonel Hunan Poghosian, Head of the RA Police Main Department for the Fight against Organized Crime, announced at the October 27 press conference. 826 such crimes were recorded in Armenia in the indicated period, including 448 crimes in Yerevan or 54.3% of the total number, as compared to 549 crimes in the same period of 2008 (65% growth). Out of this number, 819 were cases of illegal drug turnover, compared to 413 cases in the same period of last year. 329 crimes or 40% were cases related to the sale of drugs, compared to 170 cases in the same period of 2008. H. Poghosian said 28,490 grams of drugs was found and seized in the nine months of 2009, as compared with 20,034 grams in the same months of last year.

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