DUSHANBE, July 8, 2008, Asia-Plus  -- Officers from the customs checkpoint Nizhny Panj have warded off an attempt by Afghan national to smuggle a large amount of heroin in the Khatlon province, press service of the Customs Service said. 

An inspection of persons proceeding via the crossing Nizhny Panj found 4.8 kilograms of heroin hidden in a spray hose belonging to the Afghan national Najib Muhammad Nazar. 

A criminal proceedings have been instituted against Najib Muhammad Nazar on drug trafficking charges and an investigation is under way.