International drug group busted in Tajikistan

DUSHANBE, August 9 (Itar-Tass) - An international criminal group
smuggling drugs into Russia has been neutralized in northern Tajikistan,
the public relations centre of the Tajik Drug Control Agency reported on
Monday.
Three organizers have been detained and almost 31.5 kilograms of
Afghan heroin were seized. A Kyrgyz national, a Russian citizen from the
city of Tomsk and a resident of the northern Sogdi region, working at a
local airport, were arrested.
The operation was carried out within several days. It was found out
during preliminary investigation that three drug dealers had conspired
during a meeting in Moscow.
This has been one of the biggest batches of heroin seized by Tajik law
enforcement agencies this year. According to the agency's analytical
service, this year 26 criminal groups selling drugs both in the republic
and outside it have been neutralized.
A total of 467 people have been arrested, including 26 foreign
nationals. There were several Russians among them. The total amount of
drugs seized by law enforcement agencies this year has exceeded 2,700
kilograms.
According to Tajik secret services, there are major storages of drugs,
mostly heroin and hashish, in northern Afghan provinces bordering on
Tajikistan. Several major drug syndicates operate there.
This year, Tajik border guards have five times clashed with well-armed
gangs of drug couriers. Eight smugglers were killed in one of these
clashes on the Afghan-Tajik border at the end of July. Weapons and a major
batch of drugs were seized.