Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- As a result of rapid operations, officers of the National Security Service in Surkhandarya region have prevented a drug smuggling attempt. Specifically, on 9 February in the town of Denov, the officers in partnership with the regional customs directorate detained residents of Denov town and Denov District, Khurshid Namozov, Jorabek Alimardonov and Habibullo Qurbonaliyev. They were attempting to sell 350 grammes of heroin.

A preliminary investigation established that the drug had been smuggled from Tajikistan into Uzbekistan. It was also established that they had bought the drug from a native of Boysun District, Abduvahob Pirnazarov, who was temporarily living in Denov town.

The owner of the heroin was detained the next day. During a legal search carried out in Pirnazov’s residence, over 23 kg of heroin, about 2 kg of hashish and plastic capsules designed for smuggling drugs in one’s stomach were found and seized as evidence.

Moreover, nearly US$16,000 and other foreign currencies were found there. The drug dealer said that he had smuggled the large batch of drugs from Tajikistan into our country.

A criminal case has been opened. An investigation is under way.