Almost two hundred kilos of heroin found in truck with apples in Altai
BARNAUL. May 26 (Interfax) - A large quantity of heroin has been found in the Altai Territory in a truck loaded with apples, which has arrived from Kazakhstan, the regional office of the Federal Security Service (FSB) said on Monday.
About 189 kilograms of heroin were illegally smuggled into the Altai Territory in the Kamaz vehicle across the Russian-Kazakh border into the Kulunda district, according to the agency.
"A total of 959 spherical parcels containing a substance in the form of lumps, granules and powder were found in 48 boxes with apples inside the trailer of the stopped vehicle. Tests showed that the white substance is heroin," the spokesperson said.
The drug was brought from Kyrgyzstan for subsequent sale in the Altai Territory and the Chelyabinsk region.
Three organizers of the transborder drug ring have now been arrested, including one Kyrgyz and two Russians. The truck drivers - two Kazakh citizens - are also in custody. Also, search is under way for yet another active member of the criminal group, who is currently in Kyrgyzstan.
An inquiry has been launched over contraband and plotting an illicit sale of narcotic drugs in very large quantities.
