DUSHANBE, April 25, 2009, Asia-Plus  -- Officers from the Interior Ministry directorate for combating drug trafficking (drug police) burned more than 506 kilograms of narcotics at the Dushanbe plant, Tajiktekstilmash, on April 24, according to the Ministry of Interior (MoI).

A totaled included more than 79 kilograms of heroin, 119 kilograms of raw opium, and 307 kilograms of cannabis, the source at a MoI said.

These drugs were confiscated by police officers in the course of 2008-2009 and they were material evidences for 118 criminal proceedings, under which 137 persons, including 6 Afghan nationals, have been convicted.

The source added that it was the first drug burning this year, noting that they burn confiscated drugs once every quarter.