DUSHANBE, January 3, 2013, Asia-Plus  -- A large amount of hashish has been seized by officers of the Interior Ministry’s office in Sughd province in two separate operations.

According to the Interior Ministry’s press center, Ikhtiyor Nekqadamov, a senior officer from border unit 2199 deployed in the Isfara district, was arrested on January 1 on suspicion of having been involved in drug trafficking.  Some 23 kilograms of hashish were reportedly confiscated from him.

On the same day, resident of the northern city of Konibodom, Rahim Qurbonov, 51, was detained on suspicion of drug pushing.  Some 5 kilograms of hashish and cannabis were found hidden in his car.

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