Law enforcement uncovers 310-meter tunnel used for illegal drug transport between Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan

During an operation conducted by law enforcement officers, the activities of a transnational criminal group engaged in the illegal importation of large quantities of uncertified pharmaceuticals from India to Uzbekistan via Kazakhstan were exposed, the State Security Service reported.

According to the report, the criminal group brought the next batch of pharmaceuticals to the "Almaty" international airport via the "Delhi-Tashkent-Almaty" flight route and transported them to the "Dostlik" residential area of the Sariagach district in the Turkestan region of Kazakhstan. From there, the drugs were transported through a concealed underground tunnel to the "Urikkzor" neighborhood in the Tashkent district of the Tashkent region.

During the operation, a total of 1 billion 94 million 342 thousand UZS worth of pharmaceuticals produced in India, including 17,048 units of 107 different drugs such as Albumin, Remdesivir, and Meropenem, were seized as material evidence from the members of the criminal group.

It is noteworthy that the underground tunnel connecting a house in the "Urikkzor" neighborhood of the Tashkent district with the "Dostlik" residential area of the Sariagach district in Kazakhstan is 310 meters long.

The underground tunnel is equipped with an air ventilation system, lighting, carts, and ropes designed for transporting goods.

Currently, a criminal case has been initiated against the members of the criminal group under the relevant articles of the Criminal Code, and they have been placed in custody.