DUSHANBE, February 16, 2011, Asia-Plus  -- Dushanbe police officers intercepted nearly five kilograms of narcotics on February 15, according to the Ministry of Interior (MoI).

1.83 kilograms of hemp were confiscated from 19-year-old N.B., 2.30 kilograms of hemp were confiscated from 22-year-old D.E., and nearly 800 grams of hashish were confiscated from 23-year-old S.H., the source at a MoI said.

Criminal proceedings have been instituted against the detained drug peddlers and an investigation is under way.

We will recall that Tajik law enforcement authorities seized some 640 kilograms of narcotics last month alone.  A totaled included more than 42 kilograms of heroin, some 68 kilograms of raw opium and more than 528 kilograms of cannabis.  The MoI officers accounted for major part (232 kilograms) of narcotics seized in the country in January.