Large drug trafficking group broken up in Tajikistan

Tajik law enforcement authorities have detained members of a large drug trafficking group that was engaged in trafficking narcotic drugs both inside the country and outside it, according to the Interior Ministry’s website.  

Operation carried out by police has reportedly led to the arrest of seven members of the drug trafficking group.  More than 70 kilograms of narcotic drug have been confiscated from them.   .

The ringleader -- a 44-year-old resident of the city of Nurek Muqim Qurbonov, also known as “Muqimcha” and “Bachai Kampir” – has also been arrested.  13.5 kilograms of hashish, 220 grams of raw opium and ecstasy pills have been confiscated from him.  

The Interior Ministry says Qurbonov was already convicted twice for drug trafficking in Russia.  He reportedly has three wives and eleven children.  

Following Qurbonov, the remaining members of the organized criminal group have also been detained: Shamsuddin Solimdodov, 39, resident of Dushanbe; Siroj Nazirov, 39, resident of Khujand; Rouhangez Nazirov, 31, resident of the Roudaki district; Zohir Latifov, 35, resident of the Shamsiddin-Shohin district; Hikmatullo Boronov, 45, resident of Dushanbe; and Dovarsho Qalandarov, 42, resident of Dushanbe.  

According to the Interior Ministry, Muqim Qurbonov had coordinated actions of members of this drug trafficking group through WhatsApp, Imo and Viber messengers.   Correspondence in these messengers reportedly allowed revealing their contacts with criminal groups in other countries.

The money for “cargo” had been transferred to Qurbonov to Qiwi E-wallet.   

Criminal proceedings have been instituted against all the members of this organized criminal group under the provisions of Article 200 (4) of Tajikistan’s Penal Code – illegal drug trafficking; an investigation is under way.  They could face up to twenty years in prison with confiscation of property.