BISHKEK, June 30 (RIA Novosti) - Drug police near the Kyrgyz capital of Bishkek have seized over 20 kilograms of heroin bound for Russia, a spokesman said on Tuesday.

A 46-year-old Kyrgyz courier, a suspected member of a drug gang, was detained during the operation, which had been planned for six months.

Police found two bags containing 23 kilograms (51lbs) of heroin about his person, the spokesman said.

The heroin, of Afghan origin, would be worth over $800,000 on the black market.