Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Uzbek authorities seized opium and heroin concealed inside automotive parts in Surkhandarya region and detained two men in an operation involving border, customs and law enforcement agencies, the State Security Service (SSS) said.
The operation was conducted jointly by SSS Border Troops, the agency’s Surkhandarya regional department, customs authorities and other law enforcement bodies.
At the Ayritom border customs checkpoint, officers searched a Toyota driven by an Afghan citizen born in 1966. They found about 400 grammes of opium hidden inside an engine piston among the car parts in the boot.
Law enforcement officers then searched the man’s temporary residence in Termez. They found another 848 grammes of opium and 551 grammes of heroin concealed in several automotive components.
All the substances were seized and documented in accordance with procedural requirements.
Investigators continued operational measures to identify the suspected recipient of the drugs in Uzbekistan.
During the operation, officers detained a resident of Denau district, born in 1993, in Surkhandarya region. He was apprehended with physical evidence in Shurchi district.
A criminal case has been opened against the detainees under Article 246, Part 2, in conjunction with Article 28, and Article 273, Part 6(a), of Uzbekistan’s Criminal Code. Investigative proceedings are continuing.
The State Security Service urged the public to report suspected drug-related activity by calling the short number 1520. The agency said callers’ confidentiality would be guaranteed.
