Uzbek authorities foil attempted gold smuggling at Kyrgyz border

Uzbekistan’s State Security Service, in cooperation with the Customs Committee, has prevented the illegal export of gold at the country’s border with Kyrgyzstan. 

The operation was carried out in the Khojaabad district of the Andijan region. A 31-year-old resident of the Fergana region was detained near the Dustlik customs post, where authorities discovered three metal car parts in his bag. An inspection revealed that the parts concealed gold bars with a total weight of 7 kilograms and 784 grams, Caliber.Az reports via Uzbek media.

According to investigators, the seized gold is valued at approximately 12.4 billion Uzbek soums. Officials said the shipment originated in Tashkent and was intended for a recipient in Kyrgyzstan, with delivery planned through truck drivers.

A criminal case has been opened against the suspect under Article 182 of Uzbekistan’s Criminal Code, which covers violations of customs legislation. A court has ordered the suspect to remain in custody while investigators work to identify the actual owners of the gold.

By Sabina Mammadli