Over 1,600 Pounds of Illicit Drugs Seized in Russia in January-June

In total, in the first half of 2017, over 760 kilograms of illicit drugs were seized in Russia by Russian Federal Security Service, according to official statement.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — More than 760 kilograms (about 1,676 pounds) of illicit drugs were seized in Russia in January-June, the press service of the Russian Federal Security Service said Monday, adding that the number of seizures doubled, compared to the same period in 2016.

"In total, in the first half of 2017, over 760 kilograms of illicit drugs were seized under the criminal cases, pending before the Investigation Directorate of the Russia's Federal Security Service, and the number of seizures has doubled, compared to the same period during the last year," the statement said.

The Federal Security Service added that three people were detained and almost 80 kilograms (176 pounds) of synthetic drugs were seized during a recent special operation in the Moscow region.

According to the Russian Internal Affairs Ministry, over 88,300 offenses related to the illegal drug trafficking were detected in January-May. The majority of illegal drugs enters Russia from the Central Asian countries such as Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan.