DUSHANBE, 18.07.2025 (NIAT Khovar) – A large-scale counter-narcotics operation conducted by officers of the State Committee for National Security (SCNS) of the Republic of Tajikistan in Sughd Region successfully prevented an attempt by a transnational criminal group to smuggle a significant quantity of narcotics.

Three individuals were arrested as part of the operation:

• Amrullo Nazarov, born in 1977, resident of the village of Shurob, Somoni jamoat, Hisor city (previously convicted);
• Mahmadullo Musoev, born in 1971, resident of Sino district, Dushanbe (previously convicted);
• Suhrob Ibodulloev, born in 1986, resident of Mastchoh jamoat, Mastchoh district, Sughd Region (previously convicted).

Authorities confiscated a particularly large quantity of narcotics from the detainees.

Preliminary investigations revealed that while serving previous prison sentences, the three individuals conspired with a foreign national identified as Bakhtiyor Rahimov, also known as “Bakha Chimkentskiy”, aged approximately 40–45, to organize cross-border narcotics trafficking.

According to the group’s criminal plan:

• Amrullo Nazarov was responsible for obtaining narcotics from Afghan smugglers via the border areas of Shamsiddin Shohin, Mir Sayyid Ali Hamadoni, and Farkhor districts;
• Mahmadullo Musoev was in charge of transporting the drugs from Dushanbe to Sughd Region;
• Suhrob Ibodulloev was tasked with trafficking the drugs across the state border for further international distribution via the Bobojon Ghafurov and Mastchoh districts.

Nazarov acquired 60 packets of hashish and 10 packets of opium from Afghan traffickers and transported them to Dushanbe. He then handed the narcotics to his accomplice, Musoev, for further transportation.

Musoev initially delivered 20 kilograms of hashish from Dushanbe to Khujand using a private vehicle, handing the drugs over to Ibodulloev. Following Rahimov’s instructions, Ibodulloev transported the drugs to a border area in Bobojon Ghafurov district.

The group intended to smuggle an additional 40 kilograms of hashish and 10 kilograms of opium through the Dushanbe–Khujand–Mastchoh route and ultimately across the state border.

Thanks to the vigilance, professionalism, and swift action of the SCNS officers, the criminal group was apprehended before the drugs could be trafficked out of the country.

Forensic analysis by the Criminal Investigation Division of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Forensic Department of the Agency for Drug Control under the President of Tajikistan confirmed that the seized narcotics included 60 kilograms of hashish and 10 kilograms of opium, totaling 70 kilograms.

A criminal case has been initiated against the suspects under Articles 32 (Part 3), 200 (Part 4, Clause “d”), 289 (Part 3), and other applicable provisions of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Tajikistan. The pre-trial investigation is ongoing.

Drug trafficking remains one of the most significant security threats for the countries of Central Asia and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). Given Tajikistan’s long and porous border with Afghanistan, the country continues to implement robust measures using all available resources to prevent the smuggling of narcotics throughout the region.

Educating and raising awareness among the younger generation is essential for fostering national identity, patriotism, and a sense of civic responsibility—key factors in preventing criminal behavior and building a healthy society.

Had this crime not been thwarted in time, the trafficked drugs could have devastated thousands of lives and endangered many more. If we truly strive for a healthy society and a brighter future, we must unite in the fight against drug addiction and trafficking.

Public Relations Center
State Committee for National Security of the Republic of Tajikistan