The operation was carried out by the Operational Search Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Uzbekistan in cooperation with the State Security Service and the Customs Committee. The investigation revealed that the smuggling network operated in the Buston district of the Andijan region.
During the arrest, four men were caught at the scene while attempting to extract 9.447 kilograms of hashish hidden in a stash in a field. The drugs were buried and intended for subsequent transportation.
Photo by Podrobno.uz
The investigative actions showed that the organization of operations was conducted from outside the country. One of the coordinators in Uzbekistan acted on the instructions of a citizen of Kyrgyzstan.
The couriers received the geolocation of the stash and were required to distribute the narcotic substances for further sale in other areas.
According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Uzbekistan, more than 94,470 single doses did not reach consumers. The seized hashish has been attached to the case as physical evidence.
Criminal proceedings have been initiated against the detainees under part 5 of Article 273 of the Criminal Code of Uzbekistan, concerning the illegal sale of drugs in large quantities. The sanction of this article provides for a punishment of imprisonment for a term of 10 to 20 years.
Operational activities are ongoing.
