Major drug bust in Uzbekistan: Criminal charges filed against suspects

Law enforcement agencies in Syrdarya district, Syrdarya region arrested suspects attempting to retrieve 77 kilograms of hidden narcotics during a special operation, according to the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

The arrests were made as part of the “Safe and Healthy Nation” anti-crime initiative, coordinated by the Operational Search Department, in collaboration with the State Security Service and the Customs Committee. Two suspects, Lutfullo (born in 1971) and Begzod (born in 1994), were detained while retrieving three black bags containing illegal substances from a concealed stash near the M-34 highway.

Authorities reported that additional major drug seizures were conducted in Namangan and Andijan regions.

In Namangan’s Uchqo‘rg‘on district, suspects Rahim (born in 1989), Khurshid, and Ahmad (born in 1990) were caught retrieving five kilograms of narcotics from a hidden location. Investigations led to charges under Article 273 of the Criminal Code, which prohibits the illegal production, storage, and distribution of controlled substances.

In Andijon’s Pakhtabod district, suspects Timofey (born in 1998) and Sunnat (born in 1994) were arrested while collecting five kilograms of synthetic drugs buried in an agricultural field. A subsequent search of their residence uncovered an additional 364 grams of narcotics, packaging materials, and electronic devices used for distribution.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs confirmed that authorities had successfully prevented the circulation of a total of 87.774 kg of illegal drugs, including 5.364 kg of synthetic narcotics, 26.410 kg of opium, and 56 kg of hashish. The estimated street value of the confiscated substances exceeds 35.5 billion UZS. All suspects are now facing criminal charges, with pre-trial detention imposed.

Previously, authorities in Andijon’s Dustlik customs checkpoint intercepted 56 kg of illegal substances disguised as laundry detergent during a separate smuggling attempt.