Foreign national detained in Tashkent for smuggling synthetic drugs worth $350,000

The Customs Committee reported that the individual was stopped while passing through the “green” corridor. Customs officers became suspicious of two boxes labeled as athletic supplements found in his luggage.

An inspection revealed several red flags: the packaging stated the boxes should contain 760 white capsules, yet officers found 920 capsules in total. Furthermore, the capsules were yellow and red rather than white, suggesting they had been manually repackaged. A subsequent forensic examination confirmed the presence of Alpha-PVP, a potent synthetic narcotic. The estimated black-market retail value of the seized drugs is approximately $350,000.

Following the initial arrest, officers from the “Tashkent – AERO” Specialized Customs Complex expanded the operation to the Yukori Chirchik District. There, they located a hidden stash intended for distribution via the “dead drop” method – a common tactic where drugs are left in secluded spots for buyers to retrieve.

A search of the site, conducted in the presence of witnesses, led to the discovery of a buried plastic bag containing roughly half a kilogram of hashish. Customs authorities have initiated a criminal case, and investigations are ongoing.