DUSHANBE, January 19, Asia-Plus -- Compared to 2004 there was a nearly 50-percent reduction of the number of reported especially grave crimes, including deliberated killings, murder attempts, raping and banditry, Tajik Interior Ministry, Khumdin Sharipov, announced at a news conference in Dushanbe on January 19. 

According to him, 473 crimes reported last year, including 43 killings committed in the previous years, 22 robberies, 210 thefts and 29 drug-trafficking crimes, were solved. 

In 2005, 1340 unit of firearms were seized.  The totaled included 362 sub-machine-guns, 159 pistols, 164 rifles and carbines, and 554 hunting guns.

The fight against drug trafficking last year resulted in interception of 2.5 tons of drugs.

The number of reported crimes using weapons committed in 2005 decreased by 59.1 percent or 81 cases.