Suspected members of a cross-border organized drug trafficking ring that had been involved in drug trafficking for several years have been arrested in three provinces, the Interior Ministry said.
During a joint operation by the Ministry’s Operational Investigative Department, the State Security Service, and the Customs Committee, a total of 111 kg of drugs, including 81 kg of hashish and 30 kg of opium, were seized.
Six members of the ring were detained as part of the operation in the Fergana, Andijan, and Tashkent provinces.
On September 13, a resident of the Fergana province was detained while receiving a shipment of narcotics.
Two suspects were caught red-handed in the Andijan province while retrieving 10 kg of hashish from a hiding place.
Two members of the ring, both residents of the Andijan province, were detained in a cafe while purchasing 1 kg of opium for $6,000.
In Angren, a man with three previous convictions was caught red-handed while receiving 5 kg of opium.
Criminal cases have been opened, with investigation underway. Reportedly, efforts to apprehend the remaining suspected members of the group are ongoing.
