DUSHANBE, December 27, 2012, Asia-Plus -  Russia’s Federal Drug Control Service (FSKN) has announced the arrest of leader of one of the largest international drug trafficking rings in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

According to information posted on FSKN’s website on December 27, Russian of Tajik origin Atobek Gulmamadov, who is considered to be leader of one of the largest international drug trafficking rings has been arrested in the UAE.

Besides Russia drug control officers, officers from Interpol, the UAE Interior Ministry, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Kazakhstan’s Committee for National Security and the Belarusian Interior Ministry also participated in a special operation to arrest Atobek Gulmamadov.

The sides are currently considering the issue of extradition of Gulmamadov to Russia.

According to FSKN, Gulmamadov controlled transportation of 400 kilograms of heroin to Russia himself.  Those 400 kilograms were reportedly intercepted recently during large-scale special operations.

In November 2012, FSKN announced the completion of the anti-drug operation, dubbed Cartel.  The operation that lasted for four years reportedly led to the arrest of 25 drug dealers and the seizure of 750 kilograms of heroin, including 175 kilograms of heroin that were seized during the final stage of the operation in Naberezhnye Chelny.

In December, the Russian counternarcotics agency announced a new anti-drug operation that reportedly led to the seizure of 250 kilograms of heroin in Russia’s Kemerovo oblast and Kazakhstan.