Russian, Azerbaijani Police Launch Joint Raids

April 25, 2012
Officials say Russian and Azerbaijani police are jointly conducting a large-scale operation targeting suspected terrorists and organized crime groups in border regions of the neighboring countries.

The Azerbaijani Interior Ministry said the goal of the weeklong operation is to disrupt the activities of organized criminal groups and terrorist organizations involved in the illegal trafficking of munitions, explosives, and drugs.

Officials said the joint operation is taking place in Azerbaijan’s 10 northern districts near the border with Russia’s volatile North Caucasus region.

Azerbaijani officials said the raid is a regular annual event that has been held by the two countries’ law enforcement forces for more than 12 years.

Some 80 alleged criminals wanted in Russia and Azerbaijan were apprehended during a similar raid last year.
Reporting by Interfax and ITAR-TASS