Azerbaijan, Baku, October 1/Trend, I.Izzet/
As a result of operational measures taken by the Ministry of National Security (MNS) of Azerbaijan, smuggling of more than 13 kilogrammes of drugs from Iran was prevented and 18 people including 16 Azerbaijani citizens, one from Russia and one from the Ukraine were arrested for committing this offence, the Public Relations Centre of MNS told Trend on Tuesday.
Some nine kilograms of opium, 2564 kilogrammes of hashish and 720 grams of heroin and nearly 900 grams of dried marijuana were found and seized during the search.
Criminal cases have been initiated on all facts and Russian citizen Gahraman Arif oglu Guliyev, citizen of Ukraine Asim Mirfeyruz oglu Agayev and citizens of Azerbaijan namely Nazarov Aslan Bayramali oglu, iskenderov Ilgar Mirzali oglu, Nuriyev Samir Agamoglan oglu, Karimov Emil Arzuman oglu, Rasim Agayev Mirfeyruz oglu, Abdullayev Amir Isa oglu, Aliyev Ilham Amir oglu, Naghiyev Rashid Rashid oglu, Abdullayev Namik Kerem oglu, Mammadov Novruz Mammad oglu, Bakhshiev Amil Alekper oglu, Salimov Fuad Faiq oglu, Agayev Nazim Asmetali oglu, Tagiyev Rovshan Sureddin oglu, Tagiyev Vugar Hamza oglu and Khaligov Bayram Saratsan oglu were detained as accused and the court directed they be arrested as a preventive measure.
During the search of Amil Bakhshiyev's apartment rented in the Bakikhanov village of Baku's Sabunchu district, a Makarov pistol, five rounds of ammunition and one clip were found and seized.
A necessary investigation and operational search measures to find illegal activity of other participants are underway.