Two men were detained in a sting operation in Navoi region while attempting to illegally sell gold bullion worth 340 million soums. The State Security Service (DXX) reported the arrests via its Telegram channel.
According to the DXX, the two suspects — residents of the Shofirkon district in Bukhara region, 39 and 33 — had agreed to sell 212.9 grams of gold bullion to a buyer for 340 million soums. The sellers handed over 26.3 grams of 999-fine gold to the client, promising to deliver the remainder later, and were caught red-handed with material evidence after receiving $20,000 and 100 million soums in payment.
Investigators also discovered that one of the suspects had set up a clandestine workshop in his home for extracting gold from sand.
A criminal case has been opened against both men under Article 177, Part 4(a) of the Criminal Code (Illegal purchase or transfer of precious metals in especially large amounts), and an investigation is underway. The charge carries a penalty of five to seven years' imprisonment.
The case follows a similar incident uncovered earlier in Tashkent region, where a scheme involving children was used in an attempt to illegally smuggle gold and $40,000 out of the country.
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