Officers from the State Security Service and the specialized customs complex 'Toshkent-Aero' foiled an attempt to smuggle a large batch of synthetic drugs into Uzbekistan during the 'Safe and Healthy Country' preventive operation.

At Tashkent International Airport, the hand luggage of a Kazakh citizen arriving from Bangkok via Sharjah was inspected. Inside eight candy packages and five plastic containers, authorities found a total of 4.4 kg of the synthetic drug mephedrone.

Later, the recipient of the drugs—a 20-year-old resident of Yangiyul—was detained. He was allegedly supposed to receive the illicit substance at a Tashkent hotel on the instructions of an online drug store administrator.

During a personal search, the suspect was also found in possession of an air pistol, which was confiscated accordingly.

A criminal case has been opened under Part 2 of Article 246 of the Criminal Code of Uzbekistan (Smuggling), and an investigation is underway. Both suspects have been remanded in custody.

Source: uznews.uz