MOSCOW, December 5 (RIA Novosti) - Drug officers in the Perm Territory, in the Urals, have seized a total of 77 kilograms (170 pounds) of heroin, a spokesman for the Russian drug control agency said Wednesday.

Officers became suspicious when a Kamaz truck, which was heading towards a police checkpoint, suddenly swung the vehicle round and drove away.

Police chased the truck and an inspection of the vehicle's cab revealed a large number of 1.5 liter plastic bottles stocked with heroin of Afghan origin.

The truck driver, a Tajik national, has been arrested. A criminal case has been opened.