Counterfeit currency traffickers apprehended in Namangan region

Law enforcement officers in Namangan region have detained two individuals attempting to sell a significant amount of counterfeit foreign currency. The operation was carried out in Chust district by the regional department of the State Security Service in cooperation with the Department for Combating Economic Crimes under the Prosecutor General’s Office and customs authorities.

During the sting operation, a resident of Yangi Namangan district and a previously convicted resident of Chust district were caught with physical evidence while attempting to exchange the forged bills. The suspects had conspired to sell $10,000 in counterfeit U.S. dollars, which had reportedly been brought into Uzbekistan from abroad.

The traffickers were intercepted at the moment they sold the counterfeit currency to a "conditional buyer" for $7,500 in authentic U.S. bank notes. This exchange rate, significantly lower than the official value, is a common characteristic of illegal currency operations involving forgeries.

Authorities have confirmed that a criminal case has been initiated against both individuals. Investigative measures are currently underway to determine the origin of the counterfeit bills and to identify any additional members of the trafficking network.