Uzbekistan's State Security Service (SSS) has uncovered cases of smuggling and illegal trade in precious metals during operational activities across several regions of the republic. Preliminary estimates indicate that the total value of the seized assets exceeds 900 million soms.

In the Bukhara region, SSS officers, in collaboration with customs and Interior Ministry representatives, detained two young men in the Shofirkon district as they attempted to sell a homemade gold ingot weighing 110 grams. The transaction was reportedly set to amount to $17,000. During further actions, an underground laboratory equipped with melting equipment, precursors, and gas cylinders was discovered at an accomplice's location. Expert appraisal valued the confiscated gold at nearly 210 million soms.

Simultaneously, at Tashkent International Airport, a 46-year-old foreign national arriving from abroad was detained. Inspection revealed that the man had attempted to bypass customs control by concealing 226 grams of gold items, worth over 290 million soms, in his shoes.

Another incident was recorded at the "Dostlik" border post in the Andijan region. A 29-year-old resident of Andijan, returning from Kyrgyzstan, was found with undeclared jewelry weighing 241 grams. The preliminary value of the smuggled cargo, brought from Turkey for subsequent resale, was approximately 400 million soms.

Criminal cases have been initiated based on all identified facts, and investigative actions are currently underway.

Source: podrobno.uz