Tashkent Authorities Detain Owners of Telegram Bot Used for Drug Trafficking

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Authorities in the Yunusabad district of Tashkent have detained the owners of a Telegram bot used for drug trafficking, the city police department reported.

Investigators identified the bot as a platform for the circulation of narcotic and psychotropic substances, as well as for receiving, transferring, and exchanging crypto assets.

During the raid, three individuals were detained.

Authorities seized four mobile phones, three laptops, 12 bank cards, 11 SIM cards, and drugs wrapped in paper.

Examination of the phones of two suspects revealed approximately 95,000 transactions through foreign and other electronic crypto wallets, totaling US$2.3 million.

In the residence of the third suspect, 550 units of potent pharmaceuticals were found.

A criminal case has been opened under the relevant articles of the Criminal Code, and all detainees remain in custody.