A criminal group involved in drug smuggling and sales has been sentenced in the Andijan region. Depending on their role and level of involvement, they received prison terms ranging from 8 to 11 years.

In August 2025, in the Pakhtaabad district, officers from the State Security Service, together with border guards, police, and customs, stopped a Matiz car. Inside, they found nearly two kilograms of hashish and electronic scales. The detained 42-year-old man, previously convicted, turned out to be the leader of the drug group. A search of his home uncovered another two kilograms of hashish.

During the operation, other group members aged 33 to 51 were also arrested. Hashish and marijuana were seized from them. The remaining members carried out the leader's orders: receiving drugs from dealers in Kyrgyzstan, smuggling them across the border, and delivering them within Uzbekistan. The investigation established that they had smuggled and sold about 10 kilograms of hashish.

The Izboskan District Court found all defendants guilty under Articles 246 (Smuggling) and 273 (Illegal manufacture, acquisition, storage, and other actions with narcotic drugs, their analogues, or psychotropic substances for the purpose of sale, as well as their sale).

Authorities urged citizens to report drug-related crimes via the short number 1520, guaranteeing confidentiality.

Earlier, a major drug smuggling channel was shut down by the State Security Service together with the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Customs Committee. Over 24 kilograms of banned substances brought from a neighboring country were seized during a special operation.

Source: podrobno.uz