Tashkent, Uzbekistan – AN Podrobno.uz. Officers from the State Security Service, together with customs authorities of the Bukhara and Surkhandarya regions, conducted a special operation that resulted in the seizure of nearly 13 kilograms of opium from illegal circulation.

The first phase of the operation took place in the Kagan district, where a Lacetti car traveling from Surkhandarya to Bukhara was stopped. The driver, a 31-year-old resident of Bukhara, had a prior conviction for drug-related crimes. During a search of the vehicle, 993 grams of opium were found and seized under the engine air filter.

Further operational activities led law enforcement to the alleged supplier – a 45-year-old resident of the Termez district engaged in international freight transportation. Upon his arrest, 5 kilograms of opium previously smuggled from Afghanistan were found, and a search of his residence uncovered an additional 7 kilograms of the narcotic substance.

Criminal cases have been opened against the detainees, and investigative actions are underway.

Law enforcement authorities urge citizens to report any facts of illegal drug trafficking via the short number 1520. Anonymity is guaranteed.

Earlier, in the Termez district of Surkhandarya region, another attempt to illegally import drugs was thwarted. A foreign citizen was found to have more than 200 grams of opium concealed inside his body.

Source: podrobno.uz