56 kilograms of psychotropic substances hidden in washing powder seized in Andijan

At the "Dustlik" border customs post in the Andijan region, 56 kilograms of a powerful psychotropic substance disguised as washing powder were intercepted. The incident was reported by Husan Tangriyev, press secretary of the State Customs Committee.

According to the report, three individuals who frequently crossed the "Dustlik" customs post under the guise of transporting goods for personal use were stopped while attempting to carry three packages of Ariel washing powder, each weighing 9 kilograms. During a customs inspection, it was discovered that the packaging had been tampered with, and the potent substance pregabalin was concealed inside.

The same day, the operation extended to the Akhangaron district, where another individual delivering pregabalin to its intended recipient was detained. Authorities found that an additional nine packages of washing powder—totaling 27 kilograms—had also been laced with the substance.

Operational officers then proceeded to an apartment in Tashkent’s Uchtepa district, where the suspect was residing. The apartment, inspected in the presence of witnesses, was reportedly being prepared to serve as a clandestine drug laboratory. Inside, officials discovered various equipment, raw materials, and empty capsules intended for processing and distributing the psychotropic substance.

The next day, another shipment of potent substances concealed in two packages of washing powder—totaling 20 kilograms—was intercepted at the "Do‘stlik" border post. 

In total, 16 packages of pregabalin-infused washing powder weighing 56 kilograms were seized during the multi-phase operation.

“According to the results of the examination conducted by the Central Customs Laboratory, 45 kilograms of the seized substances were confirmed to be pregabalin,” the report states.

Preliminary estimates place the black-market value of the seized psychotropic substances at approximately 40 billion sums.

As a result, a criminal case has been initiated by the customs authorities, and 45 kilograms of pregabalin have been seized as material evidence.

For context, pregabalin is a central nervous system depressant that, if misused or taken without medical supervision, can cause serious side effects including drowsiness, dizziness, euphoria, addiction, weight gain, swelling, depression, and suicidal thoughts.

It is worth recalling that earlier, similar operations in the Fergana and Khorezm regions also led to the detention of individuals involved in drug trafficking.