Law Enforcement Seizes Over 11 Kilograms of Narcotics in Samarkand, Surkhandarya, and Khorezm Regions

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Law enforcement agencies in the Samarkand, Surkhandarya, and Khorezm regions have intercepted significant attempts at illegal drug trafficking, seizing more than 11 kilograms of prohibited substances in total.

The State Security Service, in coordination with other agencies, continues its active fight against drug-related crimes, which remain one of the most serious threats to public safety.

In the Urgut district of Samarkand region, a local resident born in 1998 attempted to smuggle 8.86 kilograms of opium from Tajikistan using alternative routes. The offender ignored lawful orders from border troops to stop, discarded the drugs, and tried to flee, but was soon apprehended. Investigations revealed that his accomplice, a resident of Urgut born in 1966, was also arrested.

In Surkhandarya region, a resident of Denov born in 1969, previously convicted of similar offenses, was found in possession of 31 grams of opium during a search. It was determined that he had purchased the drugs from a local resident born in 1978, from whom authorities later seized 1.483 kilograms of opium.

In Khorezm region, law enforcement officers detained a resident of Gurlan born in 1952, twice convicted for drug-related offenses, while he attempted to sell 877 grams of hashish for $14,000. The investigation established that the substance had been smuggled into the country by couriers from Tajikistan.

Criminal cases have been initiated under the relevant articles of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan. All suspects have been placed in pre-trial detention.