Russian customs officer have announced the seizure of 810 kilograms of heroin smuggled into Russia out of Central Asia.  

Citing the Federal Customs Service of the Russian Federation (FTS), RBC says the members of a criminal group had been attempting to create a channel to smuggle the seized heroin in batches of 200 kilograms each into the Netherlands. 

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The seized heroin has reportedly been smuggled out of the Golden Crescent region of South Asia (Afghanistan, Iran, and Pakistan), which is a principal global site for opium production and distribution. 

Smugglers, accomplices and organizers of the smuggling channel, including citizens of the European Union countries, have been detained.

Criminal proceedings have been instituted against them under the provisions of Article 229.1 (4) of Russia’s Penal Code – large-scale drug trafficking committed by an organized group.   An investigation is under way.