Three Ukrainian citizens have been arrested in Tashkent on suspicion of involvement in drug trafficking, according to a statement from the State Security Service (SSS) of Uzbekistan.

The arrests were made during an operational-preventive campaign called 'Safe and Healthy Country', conducted jointly by the Tashkent City Department of the SSS and the capital's Main Internal Affairs Directorate. The suspects, born in 1994, 1997, and 2001, had arrived in Uzbekistan on June 12 of this year and were residing in two apartments in the Yashnobod district.

During a search of the premises, law enforcement officers discovered narcotic substances prepared for distribution via the 'stash' method in various parts of the city. The total weight of the seized drugs was 1 kilogram and 945 grams, including hashish, mephedrone, and alpha-PVP.

Additionally, investigators found another 460 grams of mephedrone and alpha-PVP hidden in caches left by the organizers of an online drug shop, intended for subsequent packaging and sale.

A criminal case has been opened against the detainees under Article 273, Part 6, Clause 'a' of the Criminal Code (illegal preparation, processing, acquisition, storage, and other actions with narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances or their analogues for the purpose of sale, committed in large quantities by an especially dangerous recidivist). The suspects have been placed in custody. An investigation is ongoing.

Source: www.gazeta.uz