TASHKENT, December 4 (RIA Novosti) - Officers of Uzbekstan's security service seized 220 kg (485 lbs) of Afghan-produced heroin on Thursday in the southwestern Bukhara Region, a spokesman said.
The drug cache, hidden under agricultural products, was found in a Kamaz truck belonging to a Tajik national. Officers believe the drugs were intended for sale in Russia.
"It was established that the drugs were delivered to Uzbekistan through Tajikistan via mountain roads," the spokesman said.
Tajikistan, a former Soviet republic in Central Asia, is a major gateway to Russia and other nearby countries for drugs from neighboring Afghanistan, the world's leader heroin producer. Since the start of the year Tajik police have seized over 2 metric tons of drugs.
