DUSHANBE, May 12, 2015, Asia-Plus -- A 40-year-old resident of Dushanbe has been detained on suspicion of trafficking in gemstones, according to the Interior Ministry press center.

Two red topazes weighing 6.65 grams, one garnet weighing 5.88 grams, one emerald weighing 1.66 grams, one amethyst weighing 0.77 grams and one scapolite weighing 0.65 gram were confiscated from him.  A total weight of the confiscated gemstones is more than 16 grams.

Criminal proceedings have been instituted against alleged gemstone trafficker and an investigation is under way, the source said.