Uzbekistan’s SSS and Ministry of Internal Affairs Conduct Large-Scale Anti-Drug and Crime Operations

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Since 20 January, Uzbekistan has been conducting a series of joint operational, investigative, and preventive measures by the State Security Service (SSS) and the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) aimed at stabilizing the country’s crime situation.

In Gulistan, during a vehicle inspection of a “Gentra” driven by a previously convicted citizen born in 2002, authorities discovered information about controlled narcotic substances on the driver’s mobile phone.

Investigations revealed that since December 2025, the suspect had simultaneously acted as a “stash manager” and “chemist” for several Telegram channels and had organized a drug laboratory in Gulistan.

During the search, law enforcement seized 2.787 kg of pregabalin, 1,900 pregabalin capsules, 150 tropicamide capsules, 1 liter of liquid tropicamide, and equipment for producing these substances. The estimated retail value of the seized items is 1.8 billion soums. A criminal case has been initiated under Article 251-1 of the Criminal Code, and investigative actions are ongoing.

In Tashkent region, SSS and MIA officers detained three citizens born in 1983, 1988, and 1998, who had sold 36 tablets of “Regapen” to a controlled buyer, valued at 3 million soums.

From a “Spark” vehicle, 108 tablets of “Regapen” and 89 tablets of “Zardexa” were confiscated. Further investigation in a rented residence in Yunusabad district led to the seizure of 7,784 “Regapen” tablets and 200 “Zardexa” tablets intended for resale.

It was determined that the supplier of the drugs was a citizen born in 1994 from Kokand, who was detained while attempting to import 5,000 “Zardexa” tablets from Kyrgyzstan to Tashkent. In total, 13,217 controlled substances were seized. Criminal cases under Article 251-1 of the Criminal Code have been opened against all detainees, all of whom are in custody.

In Mirabad district of Tashkent, a group of individuals was detained for committing an armed robbery. A citizen born in 1995, together with four accomplices, assaulted two individuals to seize $500 USD. A criminal case was initiated under Part 2 of Article 165 (Clause “v”) of the Criminal Code.

Additionally, in Tashkent, authorities detained a resident born in 2003, previously convicted under Articles 169, 104, 227, and 168, who was involved in selling phones at the “Malika” shopping complex using violence.

During a transaction involving four iPhone 17 Pro Max units with deferred payment, a conflict arose between the suspect and the buyer. The suspect inflicted multiple sharp-object injuries to the face and abdomen of the victim, causing serious bodily harm.

A criminal case has been initiated under Article 277 of the Criminal Code, and the suspect has been detained.