Two cases of illegal drug trafficking have been stopped in the Samarkand region, with approximately 38 kg of prohibited substances seized, the State Security Service (DXX) said.
In the first case, border guards and the provincial branch of the service detained three residents of the Urgut district, aged 36 and 33. These individuals had already been under surveillance, which found that they had taken a detour to Penjikent district of Tajikistan, where they purchased 14.8 kg of opium and nearly 15 kg of hashish from drug dealers.
After illegally crossing the Uzbek-Tajik border, the suspects were arrested with evidence upon their return to Uzbekistan.
In the second case, DXX and police officers searched a private garage in Orzu mahalla in Samarkand with witnesses, during which a stash was discovered.
A little over 9 kg of opium extract was found in a specially constructed hidden area among marble stones. According to the DXX, such substances are typically smuggled into the country.
Criminal cases have been opened for both incidents under Part 2 of Article 246 and Part 5 of Article 273 of the Criminal Code and could be handed up to 20 years imprisonment. The detainees have been remanded in custody, and measures are also being taken to detain the garage owner.
