Uzbekistan Seizes 596 kg of Drugs at Afghan Border

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Authorities in Uzbekistan’s Surkhandarya region have intercepted an attempt to smuggle a large shipment of narcotics from Afghanistan.

A joint operation involving the State Security Service, Border Troops, and the Customs Committee at the “Termez-Auto” border checkpoint uncovered a shipment weighing nearly 600 kilograms.

According to law enforcement agencies, the drugs were transported in a Mercedes truck driven by an Afghan national arriving from the neighboring country. An excavator manufactured by Doosan was carried as cover cargo in the trailer, with the narcotics concealed inside its structure.

During an initial inspection using scanning equipment, specialists detected components inside the machinery that did not match its technical design. A more detailed examination using endoscopic equipment then revealed hidden compartments.

A total of 593 kilograms of hashish and 3 kilograms of opium were discovered inside the equipment, bringing the total seized narcotics to 596 kilograms.

A criminal case has been opened under Articles 246 and 273 of the Criminal Code. Operational and investigative measures are ongoing to identify and detain all individuals involved in organizing the smuggling channel.