The unscheduled programme detailed the activities of the group which was accused of smuggling Tajik drugs into Russia via Uzbekistan.

"Of late, Uzbekistan’s law-enforcement agencies have been uncovering frequent attempts to smuggle drugs from Tajikistan into Uzbekistan. In particular, operations held at the Tashkent international airport in August-September 2008 by officers from the National Security Service and customs service uncovered the activities of a criminal group, which consisted mainly of women and residents of [central Uzbek] Tashkent Region’s Bekobod District [bordering Tajikistan]. It was established that several Uzbek nationals had become accomplices of a Tajik national named Anvar, whose identity was not established during the investigation, and regularly smuggled heroin into the Russian capital Moscow for money. They would get US$1,000- US$3,000 for taking the drug to the destination," the programme said.

It also showed suspected members of the criminal group - two men and several women - being questioned. One of those accused said that he had met Anvar, nicknamed Baron, by chance and agreed to take Tajik drugs to Russia, as he needed money. Then several Uzbek women were involved in this business, some by deceit and some wittingly, the programme said.

That Tajik national would encourage his accomplices to recruit more female smugglers, as they were not checked by law-enforcement agencies as often as men, and would "give up to US$400 for [recruiting] one smuggler after the drugs were taken to Russia", the programme added.

Those women said that they committed this act because they needed money. However, the programme said that those women’s actions were not justifiable.

It also warned viewers not to be lured by Tajik drug dealers.

"It is known that Tajik drug dealers are attempting to set up a permanent drug transit route via our country and regularly use it. It is a great pity that they use Uzbek nationals’ services in taking drugs to the destination, and especially that there are Uzbek women among drug smugglers. The worst thing is that they still keep involving our fellow countrymen living in border areas in this job and pursuing their goals using their services," the programme said.