In a coordinated operation, officers from the State Security Service (SSS) of Surkhandarya region and the regional police department intercepted a major drug trafficking ring.

Investigations revealed that 25 kg 444 g of opium and 11 kg 86 g of hashish had been smuggled from Afghanistan into Uzbekistan. Law enforcement detained the organizers of the shipment. Under operative control, the drugs were transported to Samarkand, where two Uzbek citizens and two foreign nationals were arrested upon receiving the consignment.

In a separate operation at the Termez International Trade Center, two Afghan nationals were caught selling 1 kg 76 g of opium to an undercover buyer for $5,000.

It was found that the smugglers used internal concealment methods—swallowing sealed capsules containing drugs—to transport them across the border.

Criminal cases have been initiated under Articles 246 (Smuggling) and 273 (Illegal production, acquisition, storage, and sale of narcotic drugs) of the Criminal Code of Uzbekistan. All suspects have been remanded in custody pending investigation.

Source: uznews.uz