QURGHON TEPPA, March 20, Asia-Plus - Officers from the Khatlon directorate for combating drug trafficking (drug police) have seized more than 418 kilograms of drugs since the beginning of the year, the Khatlon drug police chief Zafar Sayfulloyev said. 

According to him, the totaled included 25 kilograms of heroin, 385 kilograms of raw opium, some one kilogram of hashish and more than 107 kilograms of cannabis.  During the report period, 38 people have been arrested in the region on drug charges.  

“During the same period of 2006, our officers intercepted some 486 kilograms of drugs, including 197 kilograms of heroin,” the Khatlon drug police chief said. 

Sayfulloyev noted that 144 new drug addicts were revealed and registered in the Khatlon province in 2006.  “In all, 1,020 drug addicts, including 29 women, have to date been registered in the province,” the Khatlon drug police chief said.