Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Authorities in Kazakhstan’s Turkestan region have disrupted the activities of a transnational criminal group engaged in smuggling petroleum products through a tunnel on the Uzbek-Kazakh border, according to the regional prosecutor’s office.

The investigation revealed that the criminals constructed a 450-meter-long tunnel connecting Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. Over approximately two months, 5–7 tons of fuel and lubricants were smuggled daily from Kazakhstan into Uzbekistan through this tunnel.

"Special operations identified all members of the criminal group, including Uzbek citizens. Similar operations were conducted by Uzbekistan’s law enforcement agencies on the border," the statement noted.

The investigation also uncovered a scheme for transferring payments for the smuggled fuel.

All members of the criminal group have been apprehended in both countries. A pretrial investigation is currently underway.