Illegal rice shipment from Uzbekistan intercepted in Kyrgyzstan

In the Kyrgyz Republic, authorities have seized an estimated 6–7 tons of rice that had been smuggled from Uzbekistan, 24.kg reported.

According to the investigation, a criminal group consisting of citizens of Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan had been operating in the Kadamjay district for an extended period. The group was involved in smuggling various consumer goods along the ’’Fergana – Chon-Kara – Kadamjay’’ route, violating customs, tax, and border regulations.

The suspects reportedly purchased rice in large quantities in Uzbekistan. Following a prearranged criminal scheme, the rice shipments were transported through the Kadamjay transit zone to the Chon-Kara enclave (Uzbekistan).

Later, the goods were illegally moved out of the enclave and unloaded in the Ak-Turpak rural area of Kyrgyzstan, where they were sold on the domestic market.

A Kyrgyz citizen identified as M.N.A. is currently under investigation in connection with the smuggling case.

It is worth noting that earlier, Kyrgyzstan’s State Committee for National Security detained a suspect in Bishkek who had threatened to carry out terrorist attacks in shopping centers.