Illegal Vehicle Registrations in Namangan Under Investigation
A major illegal vehicle registration scheme has been exposed in Namangan, Uzbekistan, with authorities now conducting a nationwide investigation into the matter. The group involved, which includes officers from the Traffic Safety Department, is accused of unlawfully registering vehicles without the required customs clearance.
Reports suggest that this criminal network operated across various regions in the Fergana Valley, with some members already apprehended. Investigators are currently assessing the extent of the financial losses incurred by both individuals and the state, which are believed to be in the billions of UZS.
The illicit activities allegedly involved improperly registering vehicles that were meant to be auctioned off, as well as imported cars, including those from Kyrgyzstan, without paying the necessary customs duties. The suspects are said to have falsified registration plates and technical documents for vehicles that were not officially registered in Uzbekistan.
Apart from lower-ranking traffic officers, one of the detained individuals reportedly served as a driver for a senior official in the Namangan regional police department.
A number of suspiciously registered vehicles have been seized for further examination, leaving their owners in a state of uncertainty for months. One affected individual shared his story with Kun.uz, revealing that his Lacetti was taken for inspection six months ago due to discrepancies in the vehicle identification number.
“I legally purchased the car for $16,000, with all the necessary checks and paperwork done at the registration office,” he explained. “But six months ago, I was informed that the chassis number had been tampered with and the car was taken for expert analysis. I relied on that car for my livelihood, and now I am struggling with debts. The car was initially bought from a fellow villager, who had acquired it from someone currently under investigation.”
The impact of this investigation seems to be far-reaching, with numerous vehicles reportedly seized as part of the inquiry.
Although the exact number of suspects involved and the specific charges they are facing have not been made public yet, the investigation is ongoing, and further details are expected to come to light as authorities continue their efforts to uncover the full scope of this criminal operation.
