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Iranian police kill 10 drug smugglers

(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-02-01 15:38

TEHRAN -- Iran's state television says police have killed 10 drug smugglers in a shootout near the Afghan border.

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The report says the clash happened when the bandits tried to sneak through the frontier some 750 miles (1,200 kilometers) east of the capital Tehran.

After Sunday's shootout, police confiscated more than 2,500 pounds (1,150 kilograms) of drugs, mostly opium.

Last week, Iran said bandits killed 12 border guards in an ambush near the frontier with Pakistan.

The area is a key crossing point for narcotics destined for Europe and the Persian Gulf countries, and has seen frequent clashes between police and drug smugglers.