Tashkent police detain three over online narcotics sales worth $2.4 million

During an investigative operation, the Cybercrime Unit of the Tashkent City Main Department of Internal Affairs identified a specialized Telegram bot used for the illegal trade in narcotic and psychotropic substances. Through the bot, the suspects also bought, transferred, and exchanged crypto-assets.

Subsequently, three individuals who operated the bot were detained in the Yunusabad district. In the presence of witnesses, law enforcement officers seized four mobile phones, three laptops, 12 plastic bank cards issued by various banks, 11 SIM cards, and narcotic substances wrapped in paper.

In addition, an examination of the mobile phones belonging to two of the suspects revealed that they had conducted nearly 95,000 transactions via foreign and other electronic crypto wallets. The total turnover of crypto-assets amounted to $2.375 million. A search of another suspect’s residence uncovered 550 units of potent pharmaceutical drugs.

Criminal proceedings have been initiated under relevant articles of the Criminal Code, and a preventive measure in the form of pretrial detention has been imposed on the suspects.