DUSHANBE, March 7, Asia-Plus  -- Over the first two months of this year, Tajikistan’s law enforcement agencies have seized nearly one ton of drugs, Asia-Plus has learned from Colonel Olga Muravlyova, the chairperson of the information and analytical department of the Drug Central Agency (DCA). 

According to her, it is 100 kilograms more than in January-February 2007.  Muravlyova noted that the totaled included some 190 kilograms of heroin, which is 58 kilograms fewer than in January-February 2007, and 415 kilograms of raw opium, which is 85 kilograms more than in January-February 2007.    

“Reduction in an amount of heroin seized in the country over the report period is evidence of the fact that Afghan drug dealers are experiencing an acute shortage of precursors, which are used for preparing heroin,” Muravlyova said.       

Commenting on the fact of recent seizure of some 532 kilograms of heroin by Uzbek special services, the DCA officials noted that there were no Tajik nationals among the arrested persons.   “We have sent an appropriate request to Uzbekistan and one may make conclusion only after reply to our request comes,” Colonel Muravlyova said, reminding that Uzbekistan also has a common borer with Afghanistan, “and it is also used for drug smuggling.”