Uzbekistan’s State Security Service, in cooperation with customs officials and law enforcement agencies, has uncovered a major drug-smuggling operation involving more than 20 kilograms of narcotic substances concealed inside truck batteries.

During a special operation, police officers inspected a house in the Ishtikhan district where a truck driver, 55, and a citizen of a Persian Gulf country, was temporarily staying, UPL.UZ reports.

Investigators found that the suspect had conspired with a citizen of a neighboring country to facilitate the smuggling of a large shipment of drugs into Uzbekistan.

According to the investigation, the driver had equipped his truck with a hidden compartment and installed two batteries containing 20 kilograms and 339 grams of narcotic substances.

A criminal case has been opened under Uzbekistan’s Criminal Code on charges related to smuggling and the illegal manufacture, processing, acquisition, possession and distribution of narcotic and psychotropic substances.

The investigation is ongoing.