Drug smuggling network to Uzbekistan busted in Kyrgyzstan (video)

A criminal group that set up a smuggling channel for powerful drugs into Uzbekistan has been dismantled in the Kyrgyz city of Osh. This was reported by the Service for Combating Illicit Trafficking of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Kyrgyzstan.

According to officials, the operation was carried out in coordination with the Karasu district prosecutor's office and the investigation service of the Karasu district internal affairs department. As a result, seven individuals were detained under Part 2 of Article 292 of the Criminal Code of Kyrgyzstan for their involvement in illegal drug trafficking.

During the multi-stage special operation, a large quantity of powerful prescription drugs was seized. These drugs can only be legally sold with a doctor's prescription under the Ministry of Health’s order dated September 26, 2023.

Authorities estimate the market value of the seized drugs to be over 5.5 million Kyrgyz soms (approximately 810 million Uzbek sums).

Forensic chemical examinations have been ordered, and urgent measures are underway to identify additional members of the criminal network and further expose the smuggling routes. The detained individuals have been placed in a temporary detention center.

It should be recalled that earlier, a Cobalt car traveling on the Namangan-Andijan route was stopped and inspected in Andijan. Authorities discovered 1.7 kilograms of hashish inside the vehicle, which belonged to a Kyrgyz citizen with a prior conviction for drug-related offenses. The drugs were confiscated following legal procedures.