Azerbaijan foils drug smuggling attempt detains Iranian citizen

The Azerbaijani State Border Service has said that Iranian citizen Mollai Meysan Allahbahish, 41, was detained in the territory of the Goytepe Border Detachment on January 28 at 04:15 (GMT+4).

Allahbahish was detained as a result of operational measures aimed at ensuring reliable border security, countering smuggling, and combatting the illegal drug trade, the State Border Service told Caliber.Az.

Some 7 kilogrammes 145 grammes of drugs, which he attempted to smuggle into Azerbaijan, were found and seized from him. 

The investigation is underway.

Earlier, on January 28, the State Commission of the Republic of Azerbaijan on Struggle with the Drug Abuse and the Illegal Drugs Trafficking destroyed drugs worth 272 million euros, intended for transit to Europe via Azerbaijan.

According to a statement from the Commission, as a result of operational measures conducted in collaboration with customs authorities, a total of 5,168 tonnes of drugs and psychotropic substances were seized and destroyed.

Among the destroyed substances were 4,662 tonnes of heroin, 58,8 kg of methamphetamine, 369,5 kg of opium, and 77,7 kg of hashish.

These narcotic and psychotropic substances were seized from illegal circulation at various times.

Following the incidents, 24 criminal cases have been opened.

By Naila Huseynova