DUSHANBE, May 4, 2011, Asia-Plus -- An operation by officers from the Drug Control Agency (DCA) has reportedly led to the seizure of more than 155 kilograms of narcotics in one of districts bordering Afghanistan.

“A 25-year-old Tajik national was detained in one of southern districts bordering Afghanistan on May 2 on suspicion of having been involved in drug trafficking,” said the source, “Following his testimony, the drug control officers have found 151 kilograms of hashish and more than four kilograms hidden in one premises in the district.”

Criminal proceedings have bee instituted against the detained drug trafficker and an investigation is under way.

On the same day, inspection of vehicles and passengers at the checkpoint Maykhoura in Varzob district found seven and half tablets that tested positive to MDMA, known as ecstasy, hidden in a luggage belonging to Dushanbe resident, the source added.  Criminal proceedings have been instituted against him and an investigation is under way.

MDMA (3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine) – colloquially known as ecstasy, often abbreviated "E" or "X" – is an entactogenic drug of the phenethylamine and amphetamine class of drugs.  MDMA can induce euphoria, a sense of intimacy with others, and diminished anxiety.

MDMA is criminalized in most countries under the United Nations agreement, and its possession, manufacture, or sale may result in criminal prosecution.

Officers from the Tajik counternarcotics agency have reportedly seized more than 440 kilograms of narcotics over the first four months of this year, whish is 2.2 times more than in the same period last year.