The U.S. Embassy in Baku has praised Azerbaijani customs officials for intercepting a massive shipment of heroin worth an estimated $90 million, calling the operation a clear example of successful U.S.–Azerbaijan security cooperation.
According to an embassy statement posted on Facebook, customs officers in Astara detained the narcotics earlier this month. The heroin was being transported from Iran to Estonia, using Azerbaijan as a transit corridor.
The seizure became possible thanks to a train-scanning system provided by the U.S. Embassy’s Military Group to the Azerbaijan State Customs Committee in 2021.
“The operation highlights the critical role of international and U.S.-Azerbaijan cooperation in combating drug trafficking,” the embassy noted. “This month’s operation is a perfect example of how U.S.-Azerbaijan cooperation benefits both countries and keeps America, Azerbaijan, and the entire region safer.”
The Astara interception is one of the country’s largest narcotics seizures this year and reinforces Azerbaijan’s role as a regional transit hub where international cooperation significantly strengthens border security.
