Tashkent Resident Detained for Illegal Possession of Psychotropic Drugs Worth UZS 1.6 Billion

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Officers of the State Security Service’s State Border Protection Committee, together with the Department for Combating Economic Crimes and customs authorities, conducted an operation targeting the illegal circulation of narcotics and potent pharmaceutical drugs across the state border.

During surveillance, authorities received information that a 29-year-old resident of Andijan Region, currently living in Tashkent on rented premises, was storing psychotropic substances illegally imported into the country.

During a search of his residence conducted in the presence of witnesses, 15,330 units of the controlled substance “Pregabalin” were seized, with a total estimated value of approximately UZS 1.5 billion.

Additionally, 2,872 units of three types of medical drugs without quality certificates, worth around UZS 100 million, were confiscated. All seized drugs and related materials were processed according to legal procedures.

During preliminary questioning, the suspect admitted that the drugs were illegally imported from India and intended for further sale in the capital.

An investigation has been initiated under Part 5 of Article 251¹ of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan, and the suspect has been placed in custody. Investigative actions are ongoing.