Opium smuggling attempt foiled in Surkhandarya, 135 grams seized

During an operation aimed at curbing drug smuggling, authorities in Surkhandarya region discovered opium hidden under a train car. This was reported by the regional Customs Department.

On January 9, 2025, at 04:45, officials from the "Sariosiyo" railway border customs post, in collaboration with Border Troops personnel, conducted a routine customs inspection of a freight train that had arrived at the "Kudukli" railway station from a neighboring country.

The inspection led to the discovery of a package wrapped in colorless cellophane and adhesive tape, concealed in a hidden compartment inside one of the freight cars. Upon examination, it was determined that the package contained 135.3 grams of opium.

A criminal case has been initiated, and an investigation is currently underway.

This follows a previous incident in the Urgut district of Samarkand region, where individuals were detained for smuggling narcotics from Tajikistan to Uzbekistan.