Authorities in Uzbekistan have intensified efforts to combat illegal gold trafficking, uncovering several smuggling and underground production cases in a series of coordinated operations across the country.

In the Bukhara Region, law enforcement officers detained two men aged 21 and 25 while they attempted to sell an illegally produced gold bar weighing 110 grams for $17,000, The Caspian Post reports via Uzbek media.

Investigators later discovered that one suspect had manufactured the alloy himself using specialized equipment found at his residence, including metal-melting tools and gas cylinders. Experts estimated the seized gold at more than 209 million soums.

At Tashkent International Airport, officials intercepted a 46-year-old foreign national attempting to smuggle gold into the country. During inspection, authorities found 226 grams of gold jewelry hidden inside his shoes, with an estimated value exceeding 290 million soums.

Another case was reported in the Andijan Region, where a 29-year-old man was detained at the Dustlik checkpoint after entering from Kyrgyzstan. He was found carrying undeclared gold jewelry weighing 241 grams, reportedly imported from Türkiye for resale, with a value of around 400 million soums.

Officials confirmed that criminal cases have been opened in all incidents, as authorities ramp up enforcement against illegal precious metal trade.