State Security Service Thwarts Drug Trafficking in Surkhandarya

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — The State Security Service of Uzbekistan has reported the suppression of several illicit drug trafficking operations in the Surkhandarya region. Law enforcement officers seized opium and hashish and detained multiple suspects during operations in Denau and Termez.

In Denau, law enforcement officers searched the residence of a 46-year-old man with a prior conviction for drug trafficking. Officers uncovered 1 kg of opium and 1 kg of hashish in his home. According to the State Security Service, the suspect confessed to intending to sell the narcotics.

In a separate operation in Denau, officers detained two men, born in 1986 and 1966, both of whom had prior convictions for drug-related offenses. The suspects were apprehended while attempting to sell 491 grams of hashish to a undercover buyer for 85 million soums.

Another incident occurred on the territory of the Termez International Trade Center. Law enforcement officers detained a 23-year-old Afghan citizen who transported 506 grams of opium into Uzbekistan.

To conceal the narcotics during transit, the man swallowed four wrapped packages of opium. Following their retrieval, he attempted to sell the drugs for US$2,500 to an undercover State Security Service officer, leading to his arrest at the scene.

The State Security Service stated that the suspect used body packing to conceal and transport the illicit substance across the border.

Criminal cases have been opened for all identified offenses. The detainees face up to 15 years in prison under applicable law.