In the Fergana Region of Uzbekistan, five individuals involved in smuggling narcotics from Afghanistan have been sentenced to prison terms ranging from 12 to 15 years. The State Security Service (SSS) reported this development. Three of the convicts were apprehended by the SSS back in September 2025.

During that operation, a 42-year-old private entrepreneur from Margilan and his 36-year-old accomplice were caught with material evidence while receiving 9 kg 896 g of hashish. The drugs had been illegally transported from Afghanistan through the Surkhandarya Region and hidden in a secret location in a field area in Yazyavan District. As the entrepreneur attempted to flee the scene, $14,500 and 6.25 million Uzbek soums were seized from him.

In a pre-investigation check, 110 g of opium, 2 electronic scales, $1,200, and 28 million soums were confiscated from a third party, a 45-year-old resident of Fergana City. It was noted that these substances were intended for sale to consumers in the Fergana Valley.

A criminal case was initiated based on the incident, and during the investigation, the involvement of two brothers aged 35 and 30 in this illegal activity was uncovered. According to the verdict of the Bagdad District Court in Fergana Region, all five defendants were found guilty under Articles 246 (Smuggling), 273 (Illegal preparation, acquisition, storage, and other actions with narcotics for the purpose of trafficking), and 276 (Illegal actions with narcotics without the purpose of trafficking) of the Criminal Code and sentenced to imprisonment for 12 to 15 years.

Source: www.gazeta.uz