Law enforcement officers in Astana have detained five men suspected of involvement in drug distribution, the website infohub.kz reports.
According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs' information media portal, police officers together with the State Security Service detained five men over 30 at rented apartments. They are suspected of distributing drugs through an online store.
The criminal scheme reportedly operated on a hierarchy of "organizer — packer — storekeeper — courier." The suspects are believed to have supplied consumers around the clock with cannabis-group drugs: marijuana, hashish, cannabis resin and other types.
"What particularly drew police attention was that the offered range included cookies filled with cannabis resin. A total of 238 of these unusual confectionery items, each weighing 100 g, were seized. During searches at the suspects' places of residence, about 12 kg of various drugs were seized, including more than 8 kg of marijuana, 1.5 kg of hashish and 2 kg of cannabis resin," the ministry said.
In addition, large sums of cash, bank cards, mobile phones, electronic scales, bricks, vacuum-sealing and packaging equipment, colored electrical tape and other physical evidence indicating possible drug trafficking were seized.
A pre-trial investigation has been launched against the detainees under Article 297 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The suspects have been taken into custody.