KHUJAND, January 18, 2012, Asia-Plus -- The first-year student from one of Khujand higher educational institutions was detained in the northern city of Chkalovsk Tuesday evening on suspicion of having been involved in drug pushing.

According to the Sughd police directorate, five packages containing 3.8 kilograms of hashish were found hidden in his car.

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

In 2011, the Sughd law enforcement authorities reportedly seized more than 575 kilograms of narcotics, including more than 133 kilograms of heroin.  Last year, security forces arrested 297 people in northern Tajikistan on drug charges, including 23 women.