Baku urges independent drug smuggling probe

Baku has called for an independent investigation of Georgia’s seizure of a large batch of heroin allegedly smuggled through Azerbaijan.

A probe launched in Georgia in July into the case needs to involve international investigators, the Azerbaijani government said in a letter to the UN.

“As Azerbaijan is not involved in the investigation, Ali Hasanov, head of the state anti-drugs commission, appealed to Yuriy Fedetov, executive director of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, to help draw in international experts to ensure a thorough and objective investigation,” a spokesman for the cabinet said.

The Georgian police said on July 11 that they seized 588 kg of heroin, 11.7 kg of morphine and 2.2 kg of codeine smuggled through Azerbaijan. 

Azerbaijan’s Customs Service denied the drugs passed through the country.

Bakudaily.Az