Andijan Drug Smuggling Group Sentenced in Uzbekistan

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — A court in Uzbekistan’s Andijan region has sentenced members of a criminal group involved in the smuggling and distribution of narcotic drugs brought in from a neighboring country, law enforcement authorities said.

According to investigators, the group’s activity was disrupted in August 2025 during a joint operation conducted by the Border Troops of the State Security Service, internal affairs bodies, and customs authorities. In Pakhtaabad district, officers stopped a Matiz vehicle driven by a 41-year-old previously convicted man who had already been prosecuted for illegal drug trafficking.

A search uncovered 1,976 grams of hashish and electronic scales. Investigators said he was the organizer and leader of the criminal group. A further search at his residence revealed an additional 2,236 grams of hashish.

Subsequent operational and investigative measures led to the detention of three more group members, born in 1975, 1976, and 1993. Authorities seized 391 grams of hashish and 542 grams of marijuana from them.

Investigators also identified three other members of the network, born in 1981, 1984, and 1989, who were responsible for receiving narcotics from suppliers in the Kyrgyz Republic, illegally transporting them across the border, and distributing them within Uzbekistan.

In total, investigators concluded that around 10 kilograms of hashish were introduced into illegal circulation during the group’s activity.

By decision of the Izbaskan District Criminal Court, all defendants were found guilty under Articles 246 and 273 of the Criminal Code of Uzbekistan.

They were sentenced to prison terms ranging from 8 to 11 years.