Law enforcement agencies in Uzbekistan have uncovered two separate cases of illegal trade in precious metals in Namangan Region and Tashkent. According to the Department under the General Prosecutor's Office, in the Davlatobod district of Namangan Region, two men were apprehended while selling gold ingots. One ingot was sold for $8,500 and 420,000 Uzbek som, highlighting the significant scale of illicit activities in the country's precious metals market.

Expert analysis revealed that the seized precious metal weighs nearly 89 grams and contains 99.5% pure gold. This incident underscores ongoing challenges with smuggling and illegal trafficking of valuable resources, despite governmental efforts to regulate this sector and enforce compliance with national laws.

A similar case was recorded in the capital, where a group of individuals was detained during an attempt to sell 11 silver ingots with a total weight of 11.5 kilograms. The transaction amount was $35,000. Criminal cases have been initiated under Article 177 of the Criminal Code (Illegal Acquisition or Sale of Currency Valuables), and an investigation is currently underway, pointing to systemic issues in the enforcement of regulations on precious metals trade.

These events echo a prior incident at Tashkent Airport, where customs officers, in collaboration with State Security Service representatives, thwarted an attempt to illegally export gold jewelry hidden in the intimate areas of two passengers. Collectively, these cases emphasize the persistent need for enhanced oversight and crackdowns on illegal precious metals trafficking in Uzbekistan, reflecting broader economic and security concerns in the region.

Source: podrobno.uz