Attempted Drug Smuggling Across the Border Foiled in Fergana Region — SSS

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Officers of Uzbekistan’s State Security Service have thwarted an attempt to illegally smuggle a large consignment of narcotic drugs and potent substances across the border in the Fergana region, the agency’s press service reported.

The incident occurred at the Ravot border and customs checkpoint in the Besharik district during the inspection of a Lacetti vehicle that had entered Uzbekistan from Tajikistan. The driver was a resident of the Uzbekistan district, born in 1979.

A thorough search revealed that narcotic drugs and prohibited substances had been concealed inside the vehicle’s fuel tank. In total, officers seized 10 kg 739 g of hashish, 412 g of marijuana, 35 g of opium, as well as 6,945 tablets of the potent medicinal drug Royal.

A criminal case has been opened under Part 2 of Article 246 of the Criminal Code of Uzbekistan (smuggling) and Part 5 of Article 273-25 (attempted illegal manufacture, acquisition, storage and other actions involving narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances with intent to sell). Investigative actions are currently underway.

The State Security Service noted that efforts to detect and suppress cross-border drug trafficking in the country’s border regions are ongoing.