A large-scale special operation conducted in Uzbekistan with the participation of Border Troops and the National Security Service (NSS) Directorate for the Tashkent region has resulted in the seizure of 26.8 kilograms of narcotics smuggled from Tajikistan, Vaib.uz reported on May 19.

The operation reportedly began with the detention of a 39-year-old citizen of Tajikistan, who had illegally crossed the border. During a search of his bag, officers found 15 bundles of narcotic drug that tested positive to hashish weighing 14.5 kilograms.

Further investigative actions led to the identification of the intended recipient of the drugs.  In the Tashlak district of Fergana region, a 56-year-old man was detained while attempting to collect the narcotics.  Evidence confirming his involvement in the drug trafficking scheme was found in his possession.

Meanwhile, in the Bekabad district of Tashkent region, a 33-year-old man was caught attempting to sell 9.4 kg of raw opium, also smuggled from Tajikistan.  According to preliminary investigation data, a Tajik drug courier transported the narcotics to the Surkhandarya region, from where they were delivered to Tashkent region by a 30-year-old resident of Denau district, who has also been detained.

The special operation extended to other regions as well.  In the city of Kokand, a Lacetti vehicle was stopped, and a 58-year0old passenger was found to be hiding 1.7 kg of hashish on his body.

In Fergana, another vehicle — a Zaporozhets — was searched, and 995 grams of hashish were discovered inside.

In total, 26.805 kilograms of narcotic drugs smuggled from Tajikistan were seized during the operation.

Criminal proceedings have been instituted against all detainees, and an investigation is under way. 

Context: crackdown on drug trafficking intensifies

This is not the first case of drug couriers being detained at the Tajik-Uzbek border. Previously, a court in the Urgut district of Samarkand region sentenced a Tajik citizen to 16 ½ years in prison for attempting to smuggle 20.7 kg of opium across the border.  His accomplices — two Uzbek nationals — received similar lengthy prison terms.

Uzbek authorities report a growing activity of transnational drug trafficking networks and are tightening control to disrupt smuggling routes.