DUSHNBE, July 26, 2014, Asia-Plus – Three people, including two residents of Sughd province and one Iranian national, have been arrested in Khujand, the capital of Sughd province for illegal gold trade.

According to information posted on the Interior Ministry’s website, the 25-year-old resident of Khujand Zafar Ulmasov was detained at the Panjshanbe bazaar in Khujand on July 24 on suspicion of having been involved in illegal gold trade.

The preliminary investigation has reportedly established that Ulmasov on July 8 bought 26.41 grams of 24-karat gold from the 27-year-old resident of the Bobojonghafourov district Naimjon Zokirov for 1,000 U.S. dollars.  Before that, Ulmasov bought 54.78 grams of 24-karat gold from Iranian national Shekarchi Majeed for 2,400 U.S. dollars, the source said.

Criminal proceedings have been instituted against alleged gold peddlers and an investigation is under way.