DUSHANBE -- A Khatlon Province court recently sentenced two college students to 14 years in prison for drug dealing and illegal border crossing, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reported June 16. Their high-school-aged friend received a six-year sentence.
Akhmadshokh Sherov and Rakhimali Sharif, both of Yol village, Khatlon Province, crossed into Afghanistan illegally in January to buy hashish and opium, accompanied by their friend Alisher Adukhafiz, a high-school student.
Sherov and Sharif returned to Tajikistan with 17kg of opium and 15kg of hashish. They left Abdukhafiz in Afghanistan with their suppliers as collateral for future payment.
Authorities arrested Sherov and Sharif soon after their return.
Tajik forces rescued Abdukhafiz in February. However, the court found him guilty of drug trafficking too.
