02 December 2002 00:00
ON COOPERATION BETWEEN THE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES OF RUSSIA AND TAJIKISTAN IN COMBATING ILLICIT DRUG TRAFFICKING
The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia and the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Tajikistan are currently carrying out a set of joint measures aimed at identifying and cutting off the contraband channels used for drug smuggling into Russia. Minister of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation Boris Gryzlov has assumed control of this line of activity. More than 110 kilograms of heroin have been seized in the current year as a result of the services' cooperation in the struggle against illicit drug trafficking.
As an example of the effective joint work one can note the just concluded (November 28) joint operation with the participation of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs' newly established State Committee to Counter the Illicit Trade in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, which foiled an attempt at smuggling a large batch of heroin into the territory of the Russian Federation.
Through the joint measures carried out, information had been obtained that the narcotic was being transported hidden in a cargo of agricultural products carried by railway transport on the Proletarok (Tajikistan) - Chita (Russia) route.
In this connection a decision had been taken that the State Committee in cooperation with transport interior bodies and units of the State Customs Committee, Federal Border Service and Federal Security Service of Russia and those of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Tajikistan carry out an international operation to thwart the drug contraband.
The measures resulted in the detention of the criminals and the seizure at Novosibirsk, in a customs examination of the train with an agricultural cargo, of approximately 10 kilograms of heroin intended for distribution in the Siberian region. Criminal proceedings have been instituted on a charge of drug smuggling.
Thus, as a result of the coordinated measures of the law enforcement agencies of Russia and Tajikistan a regular channel for the supply of drugs into the territory of our country has been cut off. The cost of the seized heroin at "black-market" prices constitutes more than 10 million rubles.
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