ALMATY, July 7 (Xinhua) -- Authorities have shut down an underground drug laboratory in the Karasay District of Almaty Region, Kazakhstan, the country's Kazinform news agency reported on Monday.

The illegal facility, located in a suburban area, was operated by two foreign nationals from a neighboring country and was used for the production and distribution of synthetic drugs.

According to Daniyar Meirkhan, acting chairman of the Committee for Combating Drug Crime of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, more than 11 kilograms of the synthetic drug known as mephedrone were seized in the raid. The operation prevented roughly 35,000 single doses, estimated to be worth 1.6 million U.S. dollars, from reaching the market.

In addition, police confiscated 20 liters and 115 kilograms of psychotropic substances, along with over 2 tonnes of chemical precursors that could have been used to produce up to 120 kilograms of synthetic drugs.

The total damage to the criminal underworld is estimated at 17.5 million dollars. "The detained individuals have been placed in a temporary detention facility. Work in this area is ongoing," Meirkhan said. ■