DUSHANBE, January 15, 2009, Asia-Plus -- Operation carried out by officers from the Interior Ministry department for combating drug trafficking (drug police) in the Sughd province on January 14 led to the seizure of more than 38 kilograms of hashish, according to the Ministry of Interior (MoI).

The source at a MoI said that they had received information about transportation of a large amount of narcotics.  The drug police officers found out the car and names of persons who were transporting the drugs.

“A car Nissan belonging to Kyrgyz national Mansourjon Umurzoqov was found parked on the road o Spitamen-Khujand-Konibodom,” said the source, “The diver was absent, while a passenger, Kyrgyz national Firouza Ahsanova, was in the car.  When searching the car, police officers found more than 38 kilograms of hashish.”

Criminal proceedings have been instituted on drug-trafficking charges and an investigation is under way.