Security forces have intercepted an attempt to smuggle nearly 600 kilograms of illicit drugs—specifically 593 kg of hashish and 3 kg of opium—from Afghanistan into Uzbekistan. The major smuggling attempt was thwarted during a joint operation conducted by the operational units and Border Troops of the State Security Service (DXX), alongside the Customs Committee.
According to a Sunday statement from the SSS press service, the dangerous cargo was uncovered at the "Termez-auto" border customs post in the Surxondaryo province. The discovery was made during a routine scan of a cargo truck and trailer driven by an Afghan citizen.
The trailer was transporting an excavator, whose lifting mechanism raised suspicions during inspection. Border officials examined the internal cavities of the excavator's boom using an endoscope, ultimately discovering the concealed narcotics inside.
A criminal case has been initiated under Articles 246 (Smuggling) and 273 (Illegal manufacture, acquisition, storage, and other actions with narcotic drugs, their analogues, or psychotropic substances for the purpose of sale, as well as their sale) of the Criminal Code.
Intelligence and law enforcement agencies are currently taking steps to identify and apprehend all individuals involved in smuggling this narcotics shipment.
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