Russian performer Navai Bakirov, known by his stage name Navai, was detained in Kazakhstan's Zhambyl Region after entering the country from Kyrgyzstan, the website infohub.kz reports.
According to journalist Mikhail Kozachkov's Telegram channel, marijuana was found in the artist's car. According to that account, Bakirov was heading to Kazakhstan after a concert in Bishkek held on October 12. The artist was driving a Mercedes with Astana license plates himself, and two passengers were also in the vehicle.
At the Kordai checkpoint, a service dog named Atlas reacted to the vehicle. As the journalist writes, during the inspection 2.5 grams of marijuana were found in the pocket of the driver's seat, and rolling papers and a tobacco grinder were found in a clutch bag. All three were detained and handed over to police. Investigators are establishing who owned the substance.
The Zhambyl Region Police Department confirmed to Kursiv that on October 13 an foreign performer was detained at the Kordai checkpoint while entering Kazakhstan. The operation was carried out by police officers together with the Border Service of the National Security Committee. During the inspection of the car, a narcotic substance was found and seized.
"A criminal case has been opened over suspected attempted smuggling of narcotic drugs. The suspect has been placed in a temporary detention facility," police said.
A pre-trial investigation is currently underway. Police are not disclosing other details, citing Article 201 of the Criminal Procedure Code.
Navai's concert, scheduled for October 14 in Astana, was canceled. The organizers announced the cancellation, citing technical reasons. No new date for the performance was given.
Navai is known for tracks such as "Pryatki," "Pustite menya na tantsploshchadku" and "A yesli eto lyubov."