4.4 kg of Mephedrone from Thailand Seized at Tashkent Airport

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Officers from the State Security Service (SSS) and the Tashkent-Aero specialized customs complex intercepted an attempt to smuggle 4.4 kilograms of the synthetic drug mephedrone into Uzbekistan. The illicit substance was discovered in the baggage of a Kazakh citizen who arrived at Tashkent International Airport on a Bangkok–Sharjah–Tashkent flight.

According to officials conducting the "Safe and Healthy Country" operational-preventive campaign, officers found the drugs hidden inside eight candy packages and five plastic containers during a hand luggage inspection.

In subsequent operational activities, authorities detained the intended recipient of the shipment, a 20-year-old resident of Yangiyul. Investigators stated he was instructed by an administrator of an online drug store to pick up the narcotics at a hotel in Tashkent.

During a personal search, officers also confiscated a pneumatic pistol from the detainee.

A criminal case has been initiated under Article 246, Part 2 of the Criminal Code of Uzbekistan ("Smuggling"). A preventive measure of remand in custody has been selected for the suspects, and investigative actions are ongoing.