More than 2,200 ecstasy pills and about 40 kilograms of raw opium have been seized by Dushanbe police in three separate operations.

According to the Dushanbe police department press center, a 32-year-old Sobirjon Sodiqov has been arrested on suspicion of involvement in smuggling MDMA pills, commonly known as ecstasy, into Tajikistan.  2,224 ecstasy pills have been confiscated from him.   

The Dushanbe police department press center says Zafar Ramazonzoda is supplier of ecstasy pills to Tajikistan, hiding them in packages of tea carried to Tajikistan by trucks.  

Ramazonzoda has reportedly been put on international wanted list. 

3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), commonly known as ecstasy (E) or molly, is a psychoactive drug primarily used for recreational purposes.  The desired effects include altered sensations, increased energy, empathy, as well as pleasure.  When taken by mouth, effects begin in 30 to 45 minutes and last 3 to 6 hours.  Adverse effects include addiction, memory problems, paranoia, difficulty sleeping, teeth grinding, blurred vision, sweating and a rapid heartbeat.  Deaths have been reported due to increased body temperature and dehydration.  Following use people often feel depressed and tired.  MDMA acts primarily by increasing the activity of the neurotransmitters serotonin, dopamine and noradrenaline in parts of the brain.  It belongs to the substituted amphetamine classes of drugs and has stimulant and hallucinogenic effects

Besides, Dushanbe police officers seized nearly 40 kilogram of raw opium in two separate operations.

A 63-year-ol resident of the Darvoz district Davlatmirzo Gulmirzoyev and his two nephews, Alisher Gulmirzoyev and Alidod Gulmirzoyev, have reportedly been detained with more than 23 kilograms of raw opium in Dushanbe.    

A 67-year-old resident of the Mastchoh district Amirsho Nourov and a 62-year-old resident of the Jaihun district Azamjon Jourabekov have been detained with 15 kilograms of raw opium in Dushanbe.   

Criminal proceedings have been instituted over these three cases under the provisions of article 200 of Tajikistan’s Penal Code – drug trafficking; an investigation is under way.