DUSHANBE, January 21, 2013, Asia-Plus - Police officers have reportedly warded off several drug trafficking attempts in Sughd and Khatlon provinces.

The Interior Ministry’s official website reported on January 21 that the 58-year-old resident of the city of Isfara in Sughd province, Abdusamad Razzoqov, has been arrested on suspicion of having been involved in drug peddling.  Nearly one kilogram of heroin and more than eight kilograms of hashish were confiscated from him.

Razzoqov reportedly has the previous conviction for illegally possessing weapons.

The Interior Ministry’s website also reports that the 43-year-old resident of the Vose district tin Khatlon province, Adulfayoz Nasimov has been detained on suspicion of having been involved in drug trafficking.  Some 2 kilograms of hashish and cannabis have been confiscated from him.

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

According to statistical data from the Ministry of Interior (MoI), Tajik law enforcement authorities seized some 6,000 kilograms of narcotics in 2012.  A totaled included 515 kilograms of heroin, 630 kilograms of raw opium and 4,800 kilograms of cannabis.