DUSHANBE, August 22, Asia-Plus – A meeting of the joint board of Tajik and Russian interior ministries that was held in St. Petersburg yesterday resulted in signing of an agreement on cooperation between the two countries’ interior ministries, Russian news agency ROSBALT said. 

The meeting focused on enhancement of interaction between the law enforcement agencies of the two countries in combating drug trafficking and transnational criminal groupings.

Telling the meeting, Russian Interior Rashid Nurgaliyev said that they planned a series of counternarcotics operations in 2007-2008.  According to him, the sides agreed to cooperate in combating drug trafficking, organized crimes, trafficking in persons and international terrorism.  However, combating drug trafficking remains the priority of interaction between interior ministries of the two countries, Russian minister said.  He noted that Tajikistan has a long common border with Afghanistan, where production opiates is growing. 

According to him, in 2005, 4,500 tons of opium were produced in Afghanistan, while this year, already 8,000 tons of opium have been produced there.  “Drugs are transported to practically all regions of Russia,” said Russian minister, “Some 16.4 tons of drugs have been seized this year.” 

Nurgaliyev noted that drug dealers are seeking new routes to Russia and smuggling of opium to Russia will be increasing.  He pointed to the necessity of improvement of exchange of information in order to intensify the fight against the transnational criminal groupings.     

 Tajik Interior Minister Mahamdnazar Solehov, for his part, noted that Tajikistan is conducting an active fight against drug trafficking.  Over the first six months of this year, Tajik police have intercepted 733 kilograms of heroin, which is 65 percent of drugs seized in Central Asia over the report period.  At the same time, he noted that interaction between Tajikistan and Russia in combating drug trafficking has not yet had systematic character.  To yield more efficient results it is necessary to intensify a joint work in this direction, including enhancement of exchange of operational information.