A foreign passenger was arrested at Tashkent International Airport for attempting to illegally import 6.3 kilograms of marijuana. This was officially announced by the press service of the Customs Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

According to the authorities, staff at the border customs post of "Tashkent International Airport," part of the specialized "Tashkent-Aero" customs complex, conducted an inspection of a passenger arriving from Bangkok. During the examination of the passenger's hand luggage and baggage, 12 polyethylene packages concealed within various items were discovered.

The packages were opened in the presence of witnesses, revealing a greenish substance with a pungent odor. Based on the conclusion of the Central Customs Laboratory, the substance was identified as dried marijuana weighing over 6.3 kilograms. This drug is classified as a prohibited substance for circulation under Uzbek law.

A criminal case has been initiated by customs authorities regarding the incident. According to committee data, in the first quarter of 2026, operational units and customs post staff at "Tashkent-Aero" identified 15 cases, preventing the illegal transportation and covert circulation of approximately 30 kg of narcotics, including synthetic drugs.

The volume of seized narcotics increased by nearly 18 kilograms compared to the same period last year, indicating a heightened crackdown on drug trafficking at the airport. Previously, customs and border guards confiscated a large quantity of drugs on the border with Tajikistan: a Lada Largus driver was found attempting to smuggle 10.7 kg of hashish, 412 g of marijuana, and 35 g of opium, along with about 7,000 potent tablets, hidden in the fuel tank.

Source: www.gazeta.uz