DUSHANBE, May 21, Asia-Plus - Officers from the Drug Control Agency (DCA) directorate for Sughd seized a large amount of drugs at the Tajik-Uzbek border in the Panjakent district on May 20.  

According to the DCA head office in Dushanbe, their officers spotted and tried to detain three drug traffickers who were illegally crossing the border in the Panjakent district late Sunday.  “The trespassers ignored the DCA officers’ order to stop,” said the source, “Later the drug control officers made warning shots after the trespassers tried to flee; the trespassers left their cargo and went to the Uzbek territory.” 

Some 54 kilograms of drugs were found on the scene of action, according to the source.  The totaled included some 44 kilograms of heroin and 10 kilograms of cannabis.  Investigation is under way.  

The same day, officers from the Khatlon counternarcotics directorate intercepted 2 kilograms of raw opium.  The drugs were found hidden in a car that was moving from Kulob to Qurghon Teppa.