Synthetic drug trafficking network exposed in Tashkent

The activities of a transnational criminal group involved in the trade in synthetic drugs have been stopped in Tashkent. As a result of an operation conducted by Uzbek law enforcement agencies, five people, including a minor, were detained in the capital. This was reported by the press service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan (MIA).

According to the MIA, law enforcement agencies received information that members of a transnational group were planning to import synthetic drugs from Russia to Uzbekistan. A “controlled delivery” operation was conducted to document the crime.

During the operation, a 17-year-old schoolboy was detained in the Chilanzor district of Tashkent. According to the investigation, he worked as a “warehouseman” storing drugs in an online store. He received the contraband through the Yandex service. Law enforcement agencies found 180 grams of alpha-PVP during an inspection of his benzopyl.

After that, two of his accomplices were arrested. They took the hidden drugs and acted as “zakladchik” (placers of the drug in hidden places). They were caught while receiving the hidden drugs. When the Telegram accounts of the detainees were checked, it was revealed that they had prepared six hidden places with hashish oil before their arrest.

Later, law enforcement agencies detained another possible member of the network - a 34-year-old man. He also worked as a “skladman”. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, he received the drugs through the Yandex service. 500 grams of alpha-PVP and another 50 grams of another substance were found in his perforator.

Another member of the group was detained in the Yunusabad district. This turned out to be a 27-year-old man with a previous conviction for fraud. According to the version of law enforcement agencies, he also worked as a “warehouseman” in the Telegram store. He was detained at the address provided by the curator while receiving 500 grams of alpha-PVP.

A criminal case was initiated in this case under Part 6, Clause “a” of Article 273 of the Criminal Code of Uzbekistan. This article provides for liability for committing illegal actions with narcotic drugs, their analogues or psychotropic substances for the purpose of sale, as well as for their sale.

A preventive measure in the form of detention was applied to the detained persons. Law enforcement agencies continue to identify other persons who may be involved in the illegal circulation of narcotic drugs.