DUSHANBE, December 28, Asia-Plus - Police have reported a large heroin haul in northern Tajikistan.

According to the Ministry of Interior (MoI), more than 42 kilograms of heroin were intercepted in the northern district of Ayni on Tuesday, December 26.  A source at a MoI said that police officers found heroin hidden in a Volga sedan belonging to a 38-year-old resident of the Kuhistoni Mastchoh district (Sughd) Mirzo Niyozov.  Niyozov was arrested on suspicion of having been involved in drug trafficking and an investigation is under way.  

The same day, officers from the Tursunzoda transportation police directorate seized 4.5 kilograms of heroin at the Tursunzoda railway station.  An inspection of passengers of the train Kulob-Moscow found heroin hidden in a compartment of a 71-year-old Shomurod Boboqulov, according to the source.  Criminal proceedings have been instituted on drug trafficking charges.  

Besides, officers from the Sughd police department arrested drug pusher in Khujand on December 27.  10 kilograms of heroin were confiscated from him.  Investigation is under way.