Hashish Hidden as Chocolate Seized in Uzbekistan

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Uzbekistan's State Security Service (SSS), the Ministry of Internal Affairs and customs authorities have foiled two drug trafficking attempts during the nationwide "Safe and Healthy Country" operational and preventive campaign.

According to the SSS, a 28-year-old resident of Urgench was detained at Urgench International Airport while collecting an international parcel sent from Russia. The man had previously been convicted of a drug-related offence.

An inspection found 538 grams of hashish concealed as chocolate among various confectionery items.

In a separate case, law enforcement officers detained a 45-year-old resident of Tashkent in Yukorichirchik district of Tashkent region after he collected 700 grams of hashish that had previously been smuggled into Uzbekistan by drug couriers and hidden in a stash.

Criminal cases have been opened in both incidents. Investigators are carrying out the necessary procedural actions and are identifying possible accomplices.

The State Security Service said Uzbekistan has strengthened penalties for crimes related to the illegal trafficking of narcotic drugs and urged citizens not to participate in such illegal schemes.