Tashkent police dismantle cross-border cocaine supply network

A man has been detained in Tashkent while receiving an international parcel containing 728 grams of cocaine, which was discovered by officers of Uzbekistan’s State Security Service.

The operation was carried out at a private courier office in the Yakkasaray district of the capital, Caliber.Az reports per Uzbek media.

According to investigators, the package had been sent from Africa, with the cocaine concealed inside automotive spare parts. The recipient was identified as a resident of the Yashnabad district born in 1983 who had previously been convicted of a criminal offence.

A subsequent search of his home led to the discovery of powdery substances stored in zip-lock bags, as well as confectionery products containing narcotic substances.

A criminal case has been opened against the suspect under Part 2 of Article 246 of Uzbekistan’s Criminal Code, which covers smuggling offences. The investigation is ongoing.

By Jeyhun Aghazada