Man detained for cultivating nearly 15,500 poppy plants in Denov (video)

A man has been detained in Surkhandarya Region after allegedly cultivating 15,410 poppy plants on land belonging to two of his properties, the Ministry of Internal Affairs reported.

According to the report, on April 8 of this year, officers from the оперативно-search unit of the Uzun District Department of Internal Affairs carried out an operation in Denov District. During the operation, the home and auxiliary farm buildings of a local resident born in 1960 were inspected in the presence of witnesses. Authorities found 1 gram of opium at the residence, and discovered that 14,527 poppy plants, believed to be narcotic in nature, had been cultivated on a plot measuring 4 by 2 meters near a concrete wall along the lower steps leading to a livestock shed. The evidence was documented in accordance with procedural requirements.

In addition, a second property belonging to the suspect was inspected, where 883 poppy plants were found growing in a greenhouse. Officers also identified one sharp-bladed knife, which was documented for further examination.

A criminal case has been initiated under Article 270 of the Criminal Code (illegal cultivation of prohibited crops), and a pre-trial detention measure has been applied.

Earlier, law enforcement agencies also reported intercepting a large quantity of narcotics that had been smuggled into the country from a neighboring state during law enforcement operations.