A large batch of drugs confiscated in Kazakhstan

Three criminal groups involved in drug trafficking and transit have been spotted by staffers of the Alma-Ata department of the Kazakh National Security Committee /DKNB/ in May-June 2002.

Press secretary of the DKNB Azat Amirgaliyev said Thursday at a briefing that 14 kg of heroin were confiscated from the drug dealers.

Among the detainees were an Iranian, Georgian national, five Kazakh citizens who had packed heroin, one-time dozes of heroin and marijuana, and a large sum of foreign currency on them. The bulk of the confiscated drugs was meant for trade on Russia's shadow market and the rest of them for illegal consumption inside the republic.

All the detained are currently at the police station where the investigation is being conducted into the case.