Over 5 billion UZS worth of smuggled medicines seized at border

Specifically, two GAZ-brand cargo trucks carrying goods addressed to limited liability companies operating in Uzbekistan arrived via the “red corridor” at the Yallama border customs post in Tashkent region from the Russian Federation and the Republic of Kazakhstan. After their arrival, customs officials directed the vehicles — under supervision — to the designated customs inspection site for a full inspection.

However, midway through the journey, the supervising customs officer abandoned the vehicles, allowing them to move freely without further oversight.

Taking advantage of this, the drivers diverted from the assigned route and drove to the home of a resident in the Yukori Chirchik district.

There, they unloaded a total of 52,459 units of pharmaceuticals — including 214 types of drugs such as Actovegin, Clexane, and Remaxol — all smuggled from Russia and Kazakhstan and hidden among books, accessories, and clothing. Notably, the truck’s customs seal had not been broken. The drugs, which lacked the required documentation and quality assurance, were offloaded into the residence.

The smugglers were apprehended by officers of the State Security Service and the Department of Internal Security of the Customs Committee as they were leaving the residence and heading toward the designated customs site.

The total value of the seized, unverified medicines is estimated at 5.353 billion UZS.

Preliminary investigation revealed that a Kazakhstani national — whose identity is still being verified — promised the truck drivers $2,000 to transport the goods from the neighboring country into Uzbekistan.

Criminal proceedings have been initiated under Article 182, Part 2 (a) of the Criminal Code of Uzbekistan against the truck drivers and the homeowner in Yukori Chirchik district where the drugs were stored. Investigations are currently underway.

In addition, legal assessment will be made during the investigation regarding the actions of the inspector at the Yallama border customs post, who failed to perform his official duties and allowed the illegal offloading of imported pharmaceuticals.