Nearly 13 kg of Opium Seized in Uzbekistan Operation

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — A joint operation by the State Security Service in the Bukhara and Surkhandarya regions, along with customs authorities, has disrupted the illegal circulation of a large batch of narcotic substances.

In the city of Bukhara, officers stopped a Lacetti vehicle driven by a 1993-born individual previously convicted of drug-related offenses and residing in the region. The car was traveling along the Surkhandarya–Bukhara route.

During an inspection conducted in the presence of witnesses, 993 grams of opium were discovered hidden under the air filter in the engine compartment. The seizure was documented in accordance with procedural requirements.

Further оперативно-следственные мероприятия established that the narcotics had been supplied by a 1980-born resident of Termez district engaged in international cargo transportation. After identifying his role in the trafficking chain, additional investigative actions were carried out.

The suspect was subsequently detained. Authorities found and seized 5 kilograms of opium in his possession, which, according to the investigation, had been smuggled into Uzbekistan from Afghanistan. An additional 7 kilograms of the substance were discovered at his residence and confiscated as evidence.

The total volume of seized narcotics amounted to nearly 13 kilograms. Criminal cases have been initiated against the detainees, and the investigation is ongoing.