SSS seizes over 30 kg of drugs smuggled from Tajikistan

Officers of the State Security Service, customs authorities, and internal affairs bodies have disrupted the circulation of narcotic substances smuggled into Uzbekistan from a neighboring country. In particular, during a mobile operation, a house belonging to a 42-year-old resident of Kokand was searched. Law enforcement officers discovered and seized 4 kg 572 g of opium and 1 kg 58 g of hashish.

In addition, based on geolocation data sent to him by Tajik drug traffickers, officers seized 9 kg 980 g of opium that had previously been hidden in the Dangara district of Fergana region.

It was also established that the suspect was assisted by a 57-year-old resident of Kokand. The accomplice processed narcotic substances and prepared them for use in a drug laboratory set up at his home. A further 7 kg 226 g of opium was seized from him.

In another case in Kokand, a Lacetti vehicle was stopped and searched. Officers found 5 kg 22 g of opium on the driver, which he had purchased for $34,000. The operation was then expanded, leading to the detention of the Uzbek national who sold him the drugs and his accomplice from Tajikistan. In addition, 2 kg 362 g of opium was seized from the home of a Tajik citizen in the Uzbekistan district of Fergana region.

In a separate incident recorded in Kokand, a Nexia vehicle was stopped and searched. Officers found 982 g of hashish in a passenger’s bag. It was established that the drugs had been taken from a stash previously left in the city by Tajik drug couriers.

During an operation carried out in Fergana, a 26-year-old man was detained while selling 989 g of hashish brought from Tajikistan to a buyer for UZS 150 million.

Criminal cases have been opened in all instances under Articles 246 (smuggling) and 273 (illegal manufacture, acquisition, storage, and other actions involving narcotic drugs, their analogues, or psychotropic substances with intent to sell, as well as their sale) of the Criminal Code of Uzbekistan. Pretrial detention has been applied as a preventive measure against the suspects, and investigative actions are under way.