Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Authorities in Uzbekistan have thwarted an attempt to illegally import a large consignment of uncertified pharmaceutical products into the country.

The operation was uncovered at the "Yallama" customs checkpoint in Tashkent region, where two GAZ cargo trucks entered through the “red corridor.” The goods were declared as shipments on behalf of Uzbek-registered LLCs, originating from the Russian Federation and Republic of Kazakhstan.

As per customs regulations, the trucks were required to proceed under customs escort to an internal inspection point for a full examination. However, a customs inspector failed to ensure that the trucks reached their intended destination, leaving them unsupervised en route and effectively allowing them to divert from the assigned path.

Taking advantage of this lapse, the drivers veered off course and arrived at a private residence in Yukorichirchik district, belonging to a local man born in 1966. There, without breaking the official customs seals, they unloaded a hidden cache of pharmaceutical products—52,459 packs of 214 types of medicines, including Actovegin, Clexane, and Remaxol, concealed among books, accessories, and clothing.

After unloading, the drivers continued toward the original customs post but were intercepted by the State Security Service and the Internal Security Department of the Customs Committee.

The total value of the smuggled, uncertified medicines is estimated at 5.353 billion Uzbek soums.

Preliminary investigation revealed that a citizen of Kazakhstan—whose identity is still being confirmed—offered each driver USD 2,000 to transport the pharmaceuticals into Uzbekistan.

A criminal case has been initiated against the drivers and the homeowner under Article 182, Part 2 (a) of the Criminal Code of Uzbekistan (smuggling), and an active investigation is underway.

Authorities also stated that the actions (or inaction) of the customs inspector at the Yallama checkpoint are under review, with a legal assessment pending regarding his failure to perform official duties, which enabled the illegal offloading of foreign pharmaceuticals.