According to the Navoi Regional Internal Affairs Department, the illegal operation was orchestrated by a 33-year-old resident of the Oqtepa neighborhood in Khatirchi district, identified as O.B. The individual recruited a group of young men born between 1988–2007 to routinely extract gold using makeshift, artisanal methods without obtaining any official authorization or permits.
The suspects were caught red-handed during a targeted sting operation carried out by officers from the Operational Search Service of the Navoi Regional Internal Affairs Department. Police officials seized various household tools, specialized equipment, and mining gear used for the illicit extraction from the scene.
A criminal case has been initiated against the detained individuals under Part 2 of Article 196–2 of the Criminal Code of Uzbekistan, which addresses unauthorized artisanal prospecting and mining of minerals. Investigative proceedings are currently underway to determine the full scope of the group's activities.
