Kazakhstan uncovers fuel smuggling tunnel to Uzbekistan

An international criminal group has been exposed for constructing an underground tunnel used to smuggle petroleum products between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.

According to nur.kz, citing the press service of the Financial Monitoring Agency (FMA) of Kazakhstan, the illegal activity was halted during a joint operation carried out by law enforcement agencies from both Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.

"On the border between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, a group of individuals built a 450-metre underground tunnel. The illegal operation had been ongoing for two months. During this time, the criminal group established a stable smuggling network involving foreign funding, logistics, and the transportation of fuel and lubricants," the agency’s statement reads.

All members of the criminal scheme have been identified, including citizens of Uzbekistan. Five Kazakh citizens have been officially recognised as suspects.

The investigation has been completed, and the case has been submitted to court.

By Vugar Khalilov