DUSHANBE, November 4, 2014, Asia-Plus – A large amount of raw opium has reportedly been seized in the northern city of Panjakent (Sughd province).

The Interior Ministry’s website reports that an operation carried out by officers from the Interior Ministry’s office in Panjakent on November 3 led to the arrest of local resident Madusmon Mahmoudov, 59, on suspicion of drug trafficking.

A package of narcotic drug that tested positive to raw opium weighing 17.7 kilograms was found hidden in his Opel-Astra.

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