Azerbaijani border guards reportedly thwarted an armed drug-smuggling attempt along the country’s border with Iran, seizing dozens of kilograms of cannabis and engaging in a shootout with suspects.
Video acquired by AnewZ shows what authorities say is border guards observing three unidentified individuals illegally crossing from Iran into Azerbaijan.
The border post was alerted and the three individuals were ordered to stop. Warning shots were fired.
The suspects reportedly ignored the warnings and opened fire at the border guards.
According to the State Border Service, the border guards responded with gunfire of their own. One suspect was killed, one apprehended and the third fled back over the Iranian border.
A search of the area led to the discovery of a rifle, a night vision device, spent casings and three large packages containing a total of 32.4 kilograms of cannabis.
Azerbaijan’s State Border Service said it has launched an investigation and notified Iranian border officials.
