Uzbekistan’s State Security Service reported seizing batches of drugs smuggled from Afghanistan in Fergana region and Karakalpakstan, and said several people were remanded in custody.[1] In the Fergana case a 42-year-old businessman from Margilan and his 36-year-old accomplice were detained as they received 9,896 grams of hashish.[1] The hashish had been carried from Afghanistan into Surkhandarya region by couriers, then moved and hidden in a stash on a field plot in Yazyavan district for sale in the Fergana Valley.[1] The businessman, who tried to flee the scene, was found with 14,500 US dollars and 6.25 million som, and 110 grams of opium, 1,200 dollars and 28 million som were found at the home of a third suspect.[1] Daryo.uz attributed the operation to State Security Service officers, gave the businessman’s birth year as 1983 and his accomplice’s as 1989, and said officers also seized 9 kg 896 g of hashish and electronic scales.[2]

In the other case a 62-year-old resident of Turtkul district in Karakalpakstan, previously convicted of drug trafficking, and a 47-year-old resident of Khazarasp district in Khorezm region ordered a large consignment from Afghan drug traders.[1] The two men were detained as they took 6,149 grams of opium and 9,814 grams of poppy straw from a stash in Turtkul district.[1]

Criminal cases were opened against all the detainees under article 246 on smuggling and article 273 on drug trafficking, and they were remanded in custody.[1] Daryo.uz gave the Turtkul district resident’s birth year as 1963 and the Khorezm region resident’s as 1978, and said the State Security Service was still working to identify their accomplices.[2]