Man detained in Fergana for hiding 11 kg of drugs in vehicle fuel tank

An attempt to illegally transport more than 11 kilograms of narcotic substances concealed in a vehicle’s fuel tank has been uncovered in Fergana. The State Customs Committee reported the incident.

According to the statement, officers of the Fergana Regional Customs Department at the Ravot border customs post, in cooperation with servicemen of the Border Troops of the State Security Service, identified the case during a routine inspection. A Lacetti vehicle driven by a citizen entering from a neighboring country was subjected to a standard customs check.

During the inspection, carried out using technical customs control equipment, suspicious objects were detected inside the vehicle’s fuel tank. The tank was then opened in accordance with established procedures and in the presence of witnesses. As a result, officers discovered 6,945 units of a potent medicinal drug known as “Royal,” as well as three types of narcotic substances hidden inside.

Specifically, 10.739 kilograms of hashish, 412 grams of marijuana, and 35 grams of opium were seized as physical evidence, amounting to a total of 11.186 kilograms of narcotic substances. Further investigation revealed that the driver had planned to transport the drugs across the customs border for a fee of $2,000 on the order of a Tajik national. The plan reportedly involved burying the substances in the yard of the driver’s home, after which the Tajik individual would retrieve them.

A criminal case has been opened under Article 246 of the Criminal Code (smuggling), and investigative actions are currently underway.

For reference, during 2025, more than 1.8 tons of narcotic substances, including synthetic drugs, were prevented from being smuggled across customs borders or circulated illegally within the country. This figure is 1.8 times higher than in 2024.

It is worth noting that earlier, authorities reported the seizure of a total of 32 kilograms of narcotic substances brought from Tajikistan in Fergana region.