Between October 19 and 21, nationwide operational raids across Uzbekistan revealed more than 120 violations related to the distribution and supply of liquefied petroleum gas. Official reports indicate that in 39 of these documented cases, employees of local gas supply utilities were directly implicated, highlighting systemic oversight failures and internal corruption within the sector.
According to statements from the State Security Service, the sweeping inspections were conducted in coordination with the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the General Prosecutor's Office, the Ministry of Emergency Situations, and the state energy inspectorate. During the operations, authorities seized over 3,000 gas cylinders and roughly 13.6 metric tons of liquefied gas as material evidence.
The targeted inspections were primarily aimed at clamping down on the illegal stockpiling and speculative resale of gas cylinders allocated specifically for residential use. Investigators revealed that certain industry officials allegedly conspired with local residents to divert subsidized fuel resources for illicit personal profit, exploiting shortages to drive up black-market prices.
Notable incidents included the discovery of 152 hidden cylinders at the private residence of a former district gas department official in the Jizzakh region, while a security guard at a gas-filling station in Samarkand was caught red-handed selling pressurized cylinders. Similar infractions—involving drivers, engineers, and technicians hoarding and reselling government-allocated fuel—were documented in the Syrdarya, Fergana, Surkhandarya, and Navoi regions, as well as the Republic of Karakalpakstan.
Law enforcement agencies have signaled that these rigorous oversight measures and compliance raids will continue indefinitely to curb fuel diversion. Citizens have been urged to report any illicit activities concerning the liquefied gas supply through a dedicated short-code hotline, with authorities officially guaranteeing the complete confidentiality of all tipsters.
Source: kun.uz