Customs officers at Tashkent International Airport have intercepted a passenger arriving from Dubai carrying undeclared jewelry and gold bars worth a total of 1.293 billion Uzbek soums (approximately $1.3 million). The specialized customs complex "Tashkent-Aero" reported the incident.

During customs control, authorities discovered 141 pieces of jewelry with a net weight of 921.37 grams, along with three gold bars, hidden in the passenger's luggage. According to an expert assessment, the total market value of the seized items amounts to 1 billion 293 million soums.

In addition to the precious metals, customs officers found 120 packs of tobacco products without excise stamps and 90 units of nicotine-containing snus. These findings were recorded as additional violations.

A criminal case has been initiated, and investigative actions are currently underway. Customs authorities continue to examine the circumstances of the case.

Earlier, at Namangan airport, five citizens attempted to smuggle 555 grams of gold bars and 200 grams of jewelry to India by hiding them inside their bodies. The estimated value of the precious metals was then assessed at 1.1 billion soums.

For reference, according to Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 244, the duty-free import allowance for personal goods through road and pedestrian checkpoints is set at $300. The Customs Committee notes that this requirement also applies to jewelry, which must be finished products and not intended for commercial purposes.

Source: www.gazeta.uz