Uzbekistan: Suspects Detained in Transnational Human Trafficking Scheme to Thailand

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — At Tashkent International Airport, law enforcement officers thwarted an attempt to illegally transport Uzbek women abroad for sexual exploitation. Two women were detained just before boarding a flight to Bangkok.

According to the investigation, the suspects recruited young women by promising high-paying jobs as dancers in nightclubs in Thailand.

However, behind the seemingly attractive offer was a criminal scheme aimed at coercing the women into prostitution under the control of third parties.

One of the potential victims became suspicious of the situation and contacted law enforcement authorities.

Following this information, the suspects were placed under round-the-clock surveillance. Initial investigative actions revealed that upon arrival in Bangkok, the women were to be handed over to a man named Burak, who was overseeing the reception of the “human cargo.”

A criminal case has been opened against the detained women under Article 135 of the Criminal Code (“Human Trafficking”). The court has placed them in pre-trial detention.

Investigators are currently working to identify all individuals involved in the operation of this transnational human trafficking network.