Customs officers at Tashkent International Airport broke up a scheme to bring narcotics into Uzbekistan from Thailand, seizing 34.58 kg of substances in a series of multi-stage operations run with the State Security Service in June and July 2026.[1] The haul was split between 11.62 kg of mephedrone, a synthetic stimulant, and 22.96 kg of hashish oil, a cannabis resin extract.[1] One person, described as the recipient who was to take delivery of the substances and organise their onward distribution, was detained.[1]

The customs service described the four interlinked attempts as the work of a transnational criminal group that used foreign citizens arriving in Uzbekistan for the first time and complex air routes through several countries.[2] The couriers were flown on roundabout routes through Vietnam, South Korea, the UAE and India instead of direct flights from Thailand.[3] The baggage passed checks at several foreign airports undetected and was found only on arrival in Tashkent.[3] The substances were hidden in packaging for everyday goods, including packets of powdered milk and spices, jars of chocolate spread, ketchup and shampoo bottles.[3]

Criminal cases were opened under part 2 of article 246 of Uzbekistan’s Criminal Code, the large-scale smuggling provision, and the investigation was continuing.[1] The accounts came from Uzbekistan’s customs service, which said customs officers at the airport prevented the attempt to smuggle a large consignment from Thailand.[4]