Since the beginning of the year, Kazakhstan has detained members of 24 criminal groups. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Sputnik Kazakhstan.
According to Sputnik Kazakhstan, citing the official website of the National Security Committee, the detained criminal groups are accused of extortion, kidnapping, illegal storage of weapons, and other grave crimes.
Currently, more than 169 people, including group leaders, have been arrested. Committee specialists stated that sources of illegal income related to organizing criminal schemes in border areas, industry, and environmental protection have been identified and eliminated.
Pre-trial investigations are underway for all facts. Police and prosecutor's offices also participated in joint operations.
It is worth noting that earlier one of the detained criminal groups organized gasoline smuggling through a specially dug tunnel at the border.