Namangan authorities prevent attempt to smuggle gold worth 1.1 billion soums

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Employees of the State Security Service, together with the regional customs department, prevented an attempt to illegally take precious metals to India at Namangan airport, the State Security Service said.

During an operational measure, five citizens residing in Andijan and Ferghana regions were subjected to a special inspection. They were planning to fly to Delhi on the Namangan–Delhi flight.

According to the State Security Service, the passengers attempted to take gold bars with a total weight of 555 grams and 200 grams of jewelry out of the country. The agency said the passengers’ internal organs were used as a “living container” to conceal the precious metals.

The preliminary total value of the seized precious metals is estimated at 1.1 billion soums.

A pre-investigation inquiry is currently underway into the incident.