Uzbekistan Busts Major Precious Metals Smuggling Ring from Türkiye via Kyrgyzstan

Uzbekistan’s State Security Service has successfully uncovered and dismantled a smuggling network trafficking precious metals from Türkiye through Kyrgyzstan into Uzbekistan.

Authorities seized a large shipment of gold and diamond jewelry valued at approximately $415,000, The Caspian Post reports via Kyrgyz media.

During a coordinated operation at the Kyrgyz-Uzbek border, security officers from Andijan and Fergana regions detained a local resident of Andijan carrying 859 pieces of gold and diamond jewelry. The total weight of the seized items was 4.155 kilograms, with an estimated value of 5.213 billion soums (about $415,000).

Preliminary investigations revealed that the detainee had been contracted to illegally transport the jewelry from Kyrgyzstan. The shipment was reportedly imported into Kyrgyzstan from Türkiye by more than ten individuals residing in the Andijan and Fergana regions.

A criminal case has been launched under the charge of “Smuggling on an especially large scale” according to Uzbekistan’s Criminal Code. Authorities are currently working to identify all parties involved and the owners of the confiscated goods.

Those implicated in the smuggling operation face severe penalties, including up to eight years in prison.