DUSHANBE, January 5, 2015, Asia-Plus -- Drug control officers in cooperation with border guards have reportedly warded off an attempt by drug traffickers to smuggle a large amount of raw opium into Tajikistan.

The Drug Control Agency (DCA) press center reports that drug control officers and border guards on a routine patrol spotted six armed drug traffickers who were illegally crossing the border river in the Hamadoni district (Khatlon province) on January 1.

The drug traffickers reportedly opened fire at drug control officers and border guards when they tried to detain them.

One of drug traffickers was wounded in exchange of gunfire, the DCA press center reports, noting that the trespassers managed to return to Afghan territory under cover of darkness.

12 packages of narcotic drug that tested positive to raw opium weighing some 12 kilograms and two mobile phones were found on the spot.

Criminal proceedings have been instituted and an investigation is under way.