Uzbekistan Foils Smuggling of Over 100 kg of Drugs from Tajikistan

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Law enforcement authorities in Uzbekistan have prevented the smuggling of a large consignment of narcotics weighing over 100 kilograms from Tajikistan.

During coordinated operations carried out by the Border Troops of the State Security Service (SSS), together with the SSS department in Samarkand region and local law enforcement, two residents of Bulungur district, born in 1996 and 1997, were detained.

Investigations revealed that the suspects illegally transported 79 kilograms and 358 grams of opium from Tajikistan and concealed the narcotics in a hidden cache for subsequent sale. The seized substances have been added to the case as physical evidence.

Further operational measures, based on the testimony of one detainee, led authorities to discover and seize an additional 1 kilogram and 953 grams of methamphetamine previously hidden in a field area.

In Surkhandarya region, another smuggling route was uncovered. Border Troops detained two residents of Uzun district, born in 1994 and 1997, along with a Tajik citizen born in 1997 residing in Tursunzade district, while attempting to bring 30 kilograms and 357 grams of opium into Uzbekistan.

Investigations indicated that the detainees were tasked, for monetary compensation, with delivering the narcotics belonging to a Tajik drug dealer to a prearranged address. Subsequently, the alleged organizer of the operation, a resident of Denau born in 1986, was also arrested.

Criminal cases have been initiated under Articles 246 and 273 of the Criminal Code of Uzbekistan. All detainees are being held in custody pending further investigation.