NIZHNY NOVGOROD, June 25 (RIA Novosti) - Police in the Republic of Bashkortostan, southwest Urals, seized a total of 9.6 kg (21.2 lbs) of heroin with a street value of 10 million rubles ($424,000) from a Tajik national, a police spokesman said on Wednesday.

The drugs were seized in a large-scale operation after police received a tip off that a drug deal was due to occur in Ufa in the capital of Bashkortostan. Police said that following the deal the drugs were to be sold in the Samara Region, in Russia's Volga area.

The suspected drug dealer was detained when the KIA vehicle he was traveling in drove off from a police checkpoint. Both the Tajik national, who was found in possession of a bag containing 10 packs of heroin, and the 39-year-old driver were arrested by police.

Both men have previous convictions for drug related offenses. If found guilty they could face up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to a million rubles ($23,500).

Most of the heroin sold in Russia is smuggled into the country via Tajikistan, which shares a border with Afghanistan, the world's largest heroin producer.