KHUJAND, July 1, 2011, Asia-Plus -- Drug pusher has been detained with more than 2 kilograms of raw opium in the city of Istaravshan, Sughd province.

According to the Sughd police directorate, R.F. resident of the Guli Surkh jamoat, was detained by undercover police officers on June 29 after allegedly selling an undercover police officer more than 2 kilograms of raw opium for US$300.  “R.F. was arrested after meeting with an undercover police officer acting as a drug buyer at Istaravshan’s central bazaar,” the source said.

Criminal proceedings have been instituted against R.F. under the provisions of Article 200 (3) of Tajikistan’s Penal Code – drug trafficking; an investigation is under way.

According to the Drug Control Agency (DCA)’s office in Sughd, local law enforcement authorities have seized 338 kilograms of drugs over the first five months of this year, which is 240 kilograms more than in the same period last year.