DUSHANBE, July 31, 2013, Asia-Plus – Over the first six months of this year, Tajik law enforcement authorities have seized more than 3,743 kilograms of narcotics, which was 10.7 more than in the same period last year, according to the Drug Control Agency (DCA)’s press center.

The number of drug-related crimes committed during the report period decreased by 4.3 percent.   537 drug-related crimes have been reported in January-June this year, which is 24 cases fewer than in the same period last year.

As far as the Drug Control Agency is concerned, its officers have seized more than 461 kilograms of narcotics over the same six-month period, which is 52.2 percent more than n January-June 2012.  A totaled reportedly included 198 kilograms of opiates and more than 263 kilograms of cannabis.

In January June this year, the DCA investigation department has instituted 66 criminal proceedings and 45 criminal proceedings instituted against 66 persons have moved to courts.

Over the report period, administrative action has been imposed upon on 17 persons for violations connected to illicit drug trafficking.  They have been fined a total of 10,900 somoni, the DCA press center said.

During the first stage (May 20 – July 15) of the anti-drug operation, dubbed Kuknor 2013 (Poppy 20103), more than 787 kilograms of narcotics were seized in Tajikistan, including some 31 kilogram of heroin, more than 223 kilograms of raw opium and more than 533 kilograms of cannabis.