DUSHANBE, March 1, 2011, Asia-Plus  -- Customs officers seized some 500 grams of heroin at the Dushanbe airport Monday night, the source at the Customs Service under the Government of Tajikistan told Asia-Plus Tuesday evening.

According to him, an inspection of passengers on the Dushanbe-St. Petersburg (Russia) flight found heroin hidden in a handle of suitcase belonging to Kulob resident, M.A.

Criminal proceedings have been instituted against the detained drug peddler and an investigation is under way.

Over the first two months of this year, customs officers have seized some six kilograms of heroin at the Dushanbe airport, the source added.