DUSHANBE, May 17, 2011, Asia-Plus — Customs officers seized more than one kilogram of heroin at the Khujand airport on May 16, the Customs Service press center reports.
An inspection of passengers on the Khujand-Moscow flight found heroin hidden in a rolling pin belonging to Panjakent resident Murodjon Sirojev, the source said.
Criminal proceedings have been instituted against the detained drug pusher and an investigation is under way.
On the same day, customs officers destroyed some 30 tons of illegal Chinese fireworks in the presence of representatives of relevant bodies, the source noted.
As it had been reported earlier, Tajik customs officers seized nearly 30 tons of illegal Chinese fireworks in November 2010. It is the largest stash of illegal fireworks Tajik customs officers have ever found. The 30-ton stash contained over 50 types of gunpowder-based Chinese fireworks.
The contraband fireworks were found in three trucks, and Chinese national Wan Zhian (phonetically spelled) was detained. He was sentenced to 5 years and six months in prison, the source added.
We will recall that Tajikistan banned the sale and storage of fireworks in 1997. Importing fireworks is also illegal.
