Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Officers of the State Security Service, in cooperation with customs authorities, conducted a series of special operations in the Fergana region aimed at preventing the illegal circulation of potent pharmaceutical drugs.

In one case, two previously convicted residents of the city of Kokand, born in 1983 and 1993, conspired for personal gain and, acting on a prearranged plan, received 8,000 units of the powerful drug “Zardex” from a citizen of the Kyrgyz Republic at a section of the Uzbek-Kyrgyz state border near the city of Kuvasay. They were apprehended while transporting the drugs to a rented apartment in Kokand, where they intended to sell them.

In another case, also in Kokand, a lawyer from one of the local bar associations and two other individuals born in 1974 and 1984, all of whom have previous convictions, were detained with physical evidence at the moment of selling 4,400 tablets of the potent drug “Regapen,” disguised as vitamins. The total value of the drugs was estimated at 180 million soums.

In a third case, a vehicle driven by a man born in 1983 — previously convicted under part 5 of article 273 of the Criminal Code — was stopped on the Fergana–Kokand highway. During a search conducted in the presence of witnesses, authorities discovered and seized 100 doses of “Tropicamide” and 559 doses of “Regapen,” with a total value of 110 million soums. The operation led to the arrest of a 1981-born resident of the Fergana district, who had sold the drugs to the driver. He was also caught while selling 1,400 doses of “Regapen” to another buyer in the Kushtepa district for US$2,800.

Additionally, in the Uchkuprik district, another vehicle traveling in the same direction was stopped. During the inspection, 250 doses of “Tropicamide” were found in the vehicle, with a total value of 75 million soums. The drugs belonged to a resident of Kokand, born in 1981, who had a prior conviction for drug-related offenses. The substances were seized in accordance with legal procedures.

It is important to note that in all the above cases, the potent pharmaceutical drugs had been smuggled into Uzbekistan from the Kyrgyz Republic.

Criminal cases have been initiated against the individuals involved, and they have been placed in pre-trial detention. Investigative actions are currently underway.