Consulate warns against luggage risks for Uzbeks traveling to Turkey

The Consulate General of Uzbekistan in Istanbul has issued a warning to citizens traveling between Turkey and Uzbekistan, urging them not to accept or transport luggage from unknown individuals at airports.

The announcement highlighted that some individuals at airports may request others to deliver their belongings to Uzbekistan. They often use various pretexts, such as claiming to have a gravely ill relative or lacking the means to send the luggage themselves, to persuade travelers.

“Do not trust such promises, and under no circumstances should you accept luggage from strangers,” the statement emphasized.

Reportedly, several Uzbek citizens in previous years have been unknowingly involved in transporting illegal items, including narcotics and forged documents, leading to their arrest:

• 2023: A 27-year-old Uzbek citizen at Istanbul Airport agreed to carry luggage for an unknown person. During a customs check, a large quantity of narcotics was found in the luggage. The individual was sentenced to 10 years in prison.
• 2022: Another Uzbek citizen traveling from Antalya to Tashkent agreed to transport luggage for a stranger. The luggage was found to contain forged passports and illegal documents, resulting in the individual being sentenced to several years of imprisonment.

“Under no circumstances should you accept luggage from strangers. Your negligence or misplaced trust could lead to serious criminal consequences. Do not fall for suspicious requests, and safeguard your safety,” the warning reiterated.