Uzbekistan Thwarts Attempted Illegal Sale of Rice Worth 2.1 Billion Soums

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Officers of the State Customs Committee, together with the customs authorities of Andijan and Ferghana regions and the Security Service and Department of Internal Affairs of Ferghana Region, have prevented an attempt to illegally sell rice declared as transit, the State Customs Committee reported.

On November 2, two trucks carrying 50 tons of polished rice (rice groats) entered Uzbekistan through the “S. Nadzhimov” border customs post in Tashkent Region. According to the documents, the rice was supposed to transit through Uzbekistan and leave the country via the “Dustlik” post in Andijan Region.

However, the drivers deviated from the route and delivered the rice to a private warehouse in Bagdad District, Ferghana Region, where it was unloaded with the seals intact and sold on local markets.

One of the emptied trucks then proceeded to a warehouse in Altyaryk District, Ferghana Region, to load 50 tons of locally produced “Laser” rice, which is subject to an increased customs duty. It was at this stage that law enforcement authorities intercepted the illegal operation.

The cargo owners were attempting to evade customs payments totaling around 500 million soums by falsely declaring the rice as transit.

During the operation, authorities confiscated 50 tons of “Laser” rice, 50 tons of rice groats, and two trucks. The preliminary estimated value of the seized goods is 2.1 billion soums.