Azerbaijan, Baku, Jan. 13 / Trend K. Zarbaliyeva /
Roughly 22 people were charged during a joint operation carried out by the Ministry of National Security and the Russian Federal Service for Drug Control, National Security Minister, Lieutenant-General Eldar Mahmudov said at the meeting with the head of the Federal Service for Drug Control of the Russian Federation Viktor Ivanov, the Center for Public Affairs under the Ministry reported.
"As a result of 11 joint operations, about 800 kg of drugs was withdrawn from illegal turnover, 22 people were made criminally responsible," said Mahmudov.
According to the minister, 1,200 kg of narcotic drugs was withdrawn from illegal turnover as a result of measures taken by national security agencies in combating smuggling in 2010.
During the meeting, Mahmudov noted the importance of Ivanov's visit to Azerbaijan in terms of cooperation in addressing threats to national security of both countries. Mahmudov provided detailed information on the targeted measures taken by national security agencies in combating criminality in Azerbaijan and its dangerous manifestations.
According to the minister, dynamically developing from an economic point of view, Azerbaijan, on whose territory major international projects are implemented, is of interest not only for investors, but also it looks very attractive to transnational criminal organizations. According to him, the attempts of drug trafficking, which is the main source of income for dangerous criminal groups, have become more frequent. According to the minister, it is important to enhance cooperation with region states in combating these cases.
At the meeting, the sides exchanged views on regional processes, criminal situation and factors affecting it, including such as the production of drugs, territory of their alleged cultivation, transportation routes, as well as the threats emanating from all this.
Ivanov expressed his gratitude for the sincere and friendly welcome and for detailed information and noted that the relevant agencies of the Russian Federation attach special importance to cooperation with relevant organizations of Azerbaijan, including the Ministry of National Security, to combat transnational crime.
According to Ivanov, Azerbaijan conducts a purposeful and fruitful struggle against drug trafficking and the unpleasant consequences of this turnover. He emphasized the development of bilateral and multilateral relations of cooperation in this regard.
According to Ivanov, the cooperation of the Federal Drug Control Service of the Russian Federation with the relevant agencies of Azerbaijan will be strengthened, the exchange of operational information will expanded.
The meeting also exchanged views on other issues of mutual interest to the sides. After the meeting, an agreement was signed on cooperation in combating illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and their precursors between the Ministry of National Security of Azerbaijan Republic and the Federal Drug Control Service of the Russian Federation.
