Over 200 kg of drugs seized in southern Tajikistan

The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Tajikistan reported the detention of a group of individuals suspected of large-scale drug trafficking.

According to official data, on February 6, 2024, the press service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Tajikistan reported in its video report that a group of traffickers had been detained, and 208 kg of narcotic substances were seized from them.

It was reported that during the detention of the traffickers, a pistol, two magazines, and 72 cartridges were discovered and seized from the vehicle of Izzatzo Umar Khurmatullo.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs suspects 39-year-old Umar Izzatzo of drug trafficking in Tajikistan in collaboration with drug dealers from Afghanistan and further distribution within the country using messengers and social networks.

The Ministry’s statement notes that Umar Izzatzo is a native of the Farhor district of the Khatlon region. With the assistance of his friends, he illegally imported drugs from Afghanistan into Tajikistan and then distributed them among the population together with other members of the group.

The detention of traffickers with a large batch of drugs comes after a meeting of the Security Council of Tajikistan in January 2024, where the head of the Security Council, President Emomali Rahmon, relieved several high-ranking officials of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in the Kulob zone and Khatlon region from their positions. In particular, Rahmon expressed dissatisfaction with the fight against illegal drug trafficking and their smuggling, as well as transnational organized crime.

It is important to note that the protection, security, and control of the state borders of the country are the responsibility of the Border Troops of the State Committee for National Security of Tajikistan, headed by Saymumin Yatimov. Saymumin Yatimov is also a native of the Farhor district of the Khatlon region.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Tajikistan reported that these traffickers and drug dealers, detained in early January of this year, were transporting drugs from Afghanistan to the Farhor district, then to the Danghara district, and from there distributing them to other regions of Tajikistan.