Large quantities of drugs imported from Afghanistan have been seized in the Fergana province and Karakalpakstan, the State Security Service said.
In the first case, a 42-year-old entrepreneur from Margilan and his 36-year-old accomplice were caught red-handed receiving 9,896 grams of hashish. The drugs were reportedly brought by drug couriers from Afghanistan into Surkhandarya province and transported and hidden in a field in the Yazyavan district for sale in Fergana Valley.
$14,500 and 6.25 million soums were seized from the entrepreneur, who attempted to flee the scene. Additionally, 110 grams of opium, $1,200, and 28 million soums were found at the residence of a third person suspected of involvement in the crime.
In another case, a 62-year-old resident of Turtkul district of Karakalpakstan, previously convicted of drug trafficking, conspired with a 47-year-old resident of the Khazarasp district of the Khorezm province to order a large shipment of narcotics from Afghan drug dealers, the State Security Service reports.
Reportedly, the drugs were transported by couriers from Afghanistan to the Surkhandarya province and then hidden in in the Turtkul district. During an operation, both men were detained while seizing 6,149 grams of opium and 9,814 grams of poppy straw from the hiding place.
Criminal cases have been opened against all detainees under Smuggling and Illegal production, acquisition, storage, and other actions involving narcotics for the purpose of sale, as well as their sale charges of the Criminal Code, and they have been remanded in custody.
