Major Synthetic Drug Bust in Fergana: 9 Billion UZS Seized
The Fergana regional department of the State Security Service, in collaboration with customs and law enforcement agencies, has successfully uncovered a drug lab in the Mindonabad neighborhood of the Fergana district. This operation revealed a disturbing trend where drugs were being produced using raw materials sourced from the internet, with the suspects being paid in cryptocurrency.
Three residents of Margilan, born in 1990 and 2001, were found to have rented a house where they conducted the illegal manufacturing of narcotic substances. Upon inspection, authorities seized a significant amount of illegal drugs, including 8.185 kg of Alpha-PVP, 4.209 kg of “spice,” 427 g of mephedrone, 12.326 kg of a special liquid, and 13.925 kg of tobacco products used in the drug production process.
Expert analysis has indicated that the seized synthetic narcotic substances have a black market value of 9.185 billion UZS. It was also discovered that the perpetrators acquired raw materials for drug production through discreet methods from a criminal group involved in online drug distribution. After preparing the drugs, they would leave them at secret locations across the region and share geolocations with other members of the criminal group.
In exchange for their illicit activities, each of the three detainees received a weekly salary of $500 in cryptocurrency. Criminal proceedings have been initiated against the individuals under the relevant sections of the Criminal Code of Uzbekistan, and the suspects have been placed in pre-trial detention.
This discovery highlights the ongoing efforts of law enforcement agencies to combat illegal drug production and distribution in the region. It serves as a reminder of the dangers associated with the illicit drug trade and the importance of collaborative efforts to address such criminal activities.
