Customs officers seize 1 billion UZS worth of counterfeit medicine in Fergana Valley

The investigation began when authorities inspected a Lacetti car, where counterfeit medicines were found. Following this, law enforcement conducted a raid on a residence in Kokand and a local pharmacy suspected of selling counterfeit drugs. In the house of the arrested suspect, officers discovered 1,030 fake medications valued at 128 million UZS, along with packaging materials and labels prepared for the production of an additional 13,976 counterfeit medicines. Additionally, 42,215 fake drugs, valued at 504 million UZS, were found during the search.

The operation expanded to Fergana, where another accomplice involved in the counterfeit drug trade was apprehended. This individual was responsible for manufacturing packaging, labels, and instructions for the fake products, sourcing the necessary materials from an associate in Namangan. Further investigation revealed that several individuals were involved in relabeling inexpensive medications, such as “Ascorbic Acid” and “Dexamethasone,” to pass them off as more expensive drugs. These repackaged medications were then sold to pharmacies.

For example, counterfeit versions of common drugs like "Paracetamol" were passed off as the more expensive “Mildronate,” “L-lysine Aescinate,” and “Actovegin,” while “Dexamethasone” was sold as “Retobalil.”

During the raid, officers also found 69 boxes containing 6,900 vials of the drug “Cefuroxime,” which had expired in 2021, along with 240 instructions and 3,050 packaging materials intended for the counterfeit production of the same drug.

In total, 46,246 counterfeit medications with an estimated value of 1 billion UZS were seized, along with packaging materials and labels for an additional 13,976 fake drugs. An official investigation has been launched, and the suspects involved have been detained.