NSS officers found 20 packages of heroin among private belongings. The drug traffickers were detained during the development of drug transit channel from Hatlon district of Tajikistan to Kazakhstan via Uzbekistan.

During preliminary interrogation, Ortukov said he works for one of drug barons called Salohiddin in Tajikistan. He said that Salohiddin said there is 10 kg heroin and it should be sold in Uzbekistan. He said that he found Gulmira and persuaded her for US$1,000 to sell heroin to Kazakhs.

Gulmira Samieva, who possesses dual citizenship of Kazakhstan and Tajikistan, was convicted for drug-related crime. She frequently traveled from Kazakhstan to Tajikistan via Uzbekistan. A month ago, she was deported from Uzbekistan for violation of migration rules.

Criminal case was opened, investigation is underway.