The department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia in the Astrakhan Oblast received information from the medical institution that 20 people from Astrakhan were admitted to the intensive care unit with symptoms of poisoning from an unknown substance.

On the basis of these facts, a criminal case was initiated by the investigator of the Department of Information and Telecommunication Technologies, Drug Trafficking and Economic Crimes of the MIA Investigative Department for the city of Astrakhan.

“During the urgent search measures, the employees of the MIA Department of Narcotics Control identified persons suspected of illegal sale of narcotic drugs, who may be involved in the incident. Three citizens of the Republic of Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan were caught by the police in the Stavropol Krai and taken to Astrakhan,” the report reads.

Necessary genetic tests are being carried out. In order to find out all the circumstances of the incident, investigative efforts and rapid measures are underway.

Persons involved in illegal activities, as well as other consumers of life-threatening prohibited substances, are being identified.

“Measures are being taken to completely exclude narcotics from illegal circulation,” Irina Volk, the official representative of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia, said.