Tashkent drug trafficker busted in ‘Safe zone’ operation (video)
Crime
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07 February 5258
A major drug trafficking operation was uncovered in the Tashkent region during the "Safe Zone" operation, conducted in cooperation with the regional Department of Internal Affairs and the Department of State Security, according to the Tashkent regional Main Department of Internal Affairs.
During the operation, law enforcement officers arrested a 36-year-old suspect who had been storing a large quantity of powerful psychoactive drugs in his apartment, intending to sell them online using a "pawn" method—a contactless drop-off system.
A search of the suspect’s apartment led to the discovery of 1 kg of finished and 6 kg of raw chemical agents, 100,000 empty capsules for drug packaging, and 35,000 capsules of potent drugs worth 1 billion soums, which were intended for black market sale.
Investigators determined that the suspect worked as a warehouseman for a drug trafficking group, overseeing the delivery of large drug shipments to couriers. He allegedly received $1,000 for every 1,000 capsules delivered through electronic payments.
A criminal case has been initiated against the suspect under Part 5 of Article 2551 of the Criminal Code of Uzbekistan—which covers the illegal production, possession, and distribution of chemical substances.
Authorities also noted that two individuals who operated a drug laboratory in the region were recently detained. In total, law enforcement efforts have prevented the sale of drugs worth approximately $813,716.
