Kazakhstan Uncovers Drug Network Involving Foreign Citizens

A drug network involving foreign citizens has been dismantled in Kazakhstan, Orda.kz reports, citing the Interior Ministry.

According to the ministry, 76 foreign nationals have been detained for drug-related crimes since the beginning of the year. Of them, 23 are suspected of drug sales, three of possessing drugs on an especially large scale, and 29 of smuggling. Cases involving the cultivation, advertising and promotion of drugs were also uncovered with their participation.

Some operations were carried out as part of international cooperation. In one foreign country, for example, authorities detained a foreign national who had been wanted and who, according to the investigation, remotely organized the production of synthetic drugs in Karaganda.

In Astana, police stopped the activities of a 32-year-old citizen of a European country who allegedly acted as a so-called wholesale stash coordinator. Officers seized 1.5 kilograms of synthetic and cannabis-based drugs from his rented apartment.

In Almaty, a 44-year-old citizen of an Eastern European country was detained. Police found and seized 1.2 kilograms of the synthetic drug A-PVP.

In Aktau, police detained a 21-year-old citizen of a neighboring country who was allegedly selling drugs through hidden drop points. About 30 grams of mephedrone were seized from her.

Drug crime is transnational in nature, which is why this work is carried out in cooperation with foreign partners. The Interior Ministry warns that any attempts to organize the production or transit of drugs through the country will be suppressed in accordance with the law.Eldar Abdikenov, deputy chairman of the Interior Ministry’s Committee for Countering Drug Crime, said.

Original author: Rustam Muratov

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