Two criminal groups accused of carrying out extortion, robbery, fraud, poaching and drug trafficking while using religious extremist ideas as a cover have been dismantled in Kazakhstan.

A total of 64 people were detained as part of the operation. The groups also kept firearms for use in their criminal activities, according to Zakon.kz.

The Interior Ministry said on September 15 that the groups operated across several regions of Kazakhstan, including Almaty, Aktobe, Atyrau, Zhambyl, Mangystau and West Kazakhstan regions.

“Such groups operated in different regions of the country,” the ministry said.

Kazakh law enforcement agencies are also continuing to identify and prevent extremist and terrorist offenses, including attempts to spread radical ideology online.