Kyrgyzstan's State Committee for National Security (SCNS) carried out an operation at the Kadamjai - Avtoyol and Chashma - Avtoyol checkpoints in Batken region, detaining 27 officials stationed at the border, the 24.kg reported.
According to preliminary information, officers from the State Committee and its Alpha special unit carried out the operation on the evening of July 5. They detained customs, veterinary, and border service personnel at two checkpoints along the border with Uzbekistan. The individuals are suspected of corruption.
Sources say that during the search, officers found 38,500 Kyrgyz soms, 5,484,000 Uzbek soums in a JAC-3202 service vehicle belonging to Kyrgyzstan's Border Service. Investigators are also looking into reports that warning shots were fired at both checkpoints.
Reports indicate that 100,000 Kyrgyz soms along with sums in US dollars were confiscated from customs service employees. In addition, surveillance cameras reportedly captured employees at the Chashma - Avtoyol checkpoint accepting money illegally.
According to sources, 11 employees from the Chashma - Avtoyol checkpoint and 16 from Kadamjai - Avtoyol were brought to the SCNS's provincial branch for Batken province - 27 people in total. Two AK-74 rifles, two magazines, and 60 rounds of ammunition were seized.
During the operation, the movement of civilians and vehicles through the checkpoints was temporarily suspended. Normal operations resumed at around 11:00 PM.
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