A security operation at the Ayritom border customs post on Uzbekistan’s frontier with Afghanistan has uncovered almost 400 grams of opium hidden inside engine piston spare parts in a Toyota vehicle driven by an Afghan national, according to the report. During the operation, conducted jointly by the Border Troops of the State Security Service, the SGS regional department for Surxondaryo, customs and internal affairs bodies, officers also searched the man’s temporary residence in Termez.
Key Takeaways: About 400 grams of opium were found in the vehicle’s cargo area, while a further 848 grams of opium and 551 grams of heroin were discovered at the temporary residence in Termez. The total amount seized was 1 kilogram 799 grams. A person residing in Denau district, Surxondaryo region, was detained in Shurchi district with material evidence, and a criminal case has been opened.
Surxondaryo region lies in southern Uzbekistan and borders Afghanistan, making it a sensitive area for efforts to counter drug trafficking and cross-border smuggling. Uzbek law enforcement agencies have repeatedly emphasized interagency cooperation at checkpoints and in populated areas, where hidden consignments may be received or moved onward. The concealment of drugs inside technical spare parts illustrates the methods that border and customs officers must detect through physical checks, risk profiling and operational intelligence. Such joint operations are part of routine efforts to reduce the flow of illegal narcotics through Central Asia.
According to the available information, the operation continued after the initial discovery in order to identify the person who was supposed to receive the drugs inside Uzbekistan. The suspect from Denau district was detained in Shurchi district with material evidence. Investigators are now examining the circumstances of the case, possible links between the individuals involved and the route by which the drugs entered the country; further details have not been disclosed.
A criminal case has been opened and investigative actions are underway, with the next steps focused on identifying the intended recipient of the narcotics in Uzbekistan. The authorities are expected to continue operational and preventive measures along border areas. Any final legal assessment will depend on the results of the investigation, and further official information may be released as the case proceeds.
Source: kun.uz