KHUJAND, December 20, 2008, Asia-Plus  -- Officers from the Sughd police directorate have confiscated 185 illegally possessed firearms from local population in January-November this year, which is 98 firearms fewer than in the same period of 2007, according to press service of the Sughd police directorate.

A totaled included 4 sub-machine-guns Kalashnikov, five pistols Makarov, 11 rifles, 165 hunting guns, as well as three hand grenades and 500 bullets of different caliber.

Over the report period, nine criminal proceedings have been instituted in northern Tajikistan on charges of illegal possession of weapons, which is 8 cases fewer than in the same period of last year, the press service said.