Customs officers seize 8.5 tons of narcotics at Tashkent International Airport

It was found out that 8.5 tons of poppy straw was being transported through the airport. They were included in 25 tons of seeds and straws, which were identified in the document as confectionery poppies. It was the first time in the 30-year history of the customs system that so many drugs were detected in one case.

Photo: Customs Committee

A large amount of narcotics was discovered by the customs authorities at Tashkent International Airport, the press service of the Customs Committee reported.

Allegedly, employees of the Customs Committee and the State Security Service conducted a customs inspection of 1,000 bags of confectionery poppy seeds weighing 25 tons, which were brought from abroad to the republic by air and then transported by cargo vehicle in the transit mode at the “Aviayuklar” foreign economic activity customs post.

Commonly added to or sprinkled on top of various baked goods, confectionery poppy seeds, although similar, are quite different from traditional poppy seeds. That is, this product is specially prepared and processed seeds of grass plants belonging to the poppy family.

However, during the customs inspection, it was identified that 25 tons of seeds and 8.5 tons of poppy straws, which are considered real drugs, were included in the documents. Poppy straw is a prohibited drug in the country.

Currently, a criminal case has been initiated by the customs authorities.

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