Young Couple from Gulistan Runs Synthetic Drug Production Operation

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — A narcotics laboratory organized by a young married couple was uncovered in the Syrdarya region, the Uzbek law enforcement authorities reported.

Officers from the State Security Service, together with other law enforcement agencies, detained the suspects in Namangan.

The investigation established that in Gulistan, a 28-year-old man, his 27-year-old wife, and a 30-year-old resident of Ferghana were involved in the production of synthetic drugs and their distribution through “stash points.”

During the search, 4.37 kg of mephedrone was seized, along with electronic scales, a mixer, a gas mask, packaging materials, and other evidence. It was determined that the raw materials for drug production were supplied from CIS countries by members of an organized criminal group.

A criminal case has been initiated against the detainees under Part 5 of Article 273 of the Criminal Code (illegal sale of narcotic drugs, their analogues, or psychotropic substances on a large scale).

Additionally, in Namangan region, during a joint operation with border and customs authorities, a 48-year-old man was detained while attempting to illegally import 9.7 kg of hashish from Kyrgyzstan. He faces charges under Articles 223 (illegal entry into the Republic of Uzbekistan) and 246 (smuggling) of the Criminal Code.

In Namangan, a 33-year-old man was also detained for attempting to transport 24,122 tablets of “Regapen,” 4,880 tablets of “Tropicamide,” and 61,287 units of counterfeit medicines via bypass routes, with a total value exceeding 3.2 billion soums.

Investigative actions revealed five more individuals involved in the distribution of potent and counterfeit drugs in Tashkent and the Ferghana Valley. Criminal cases have been initiated against all of them as well.