Customs Officers Foil 10 Billion UZS Cigarette Smuggling Attempt
Railway Wagon Illegally Transporting 402,000 Packs of Cigarettes Seized in Uzbekistan
A railway wagon heading to Tajikistan through the territory of Uzbekistan was found to be illegally transporting 402,000 packs of cigarettes. The discovery was made by customs authorities at the “Sariosiyo” railway border customs post in the Surkhandarya region.
The cigarettes were uncovered during an inspection of one of the train wagons at a complex equipped for scanning railway wagons. X-ray images revealed the presence of goods that were not declared in the accompanying freight documentation, according to the Surkhandarya Regional Customs Administration.
The inspection revealed that among the items listed in the documents, such as air purifiers, washing machines, and dry milk, undeclared “Esse Change” cigarettes were found. These cigarettes lacked excise stamps and were hidden from customs control. It is estimated that the cost of the 402,000 packs of undeclared cigarettes is 10.05 billion UZS.
The authorities are currently conducting an investigation into the case, and further details are awaited. The illegal transportation of cigarettes is a serious offense, and those involved could face legal consequences. The seizure of such a large quantity of undeclared cigarettes underscores the importance of vigilant customs enforcement to prevent the illegal trafficking of goods.
