Illegal gold miners detained with 17.2 kg of gold and silver alloy

In Navoi Region, illegal gold miners have been detained, and 17.2 kilograms of a gold and silver alloy have been seized and registered as material evidence. The State Security Service reported this.

According to the statement, officers of the Navoi Regional Department of the State Security Service, together with the Regional Department of Internal Affairs, conducted a special operation to curb illegal gold mining and its chemical processing on state reserve lands.

Specifically, an organized criminal group specializing in illegal gold trading operated in violation of tax, geological, environmental, and nature protection legislation, involving foreign nationals in its activities.

The criminal group was reportedly led by the head of a limited liability company based in Karmana District that specializes in the sports sector.

During the operation, law enforcement officers seized 17.2 kilograms of a gold and silver alloy, 20 kilograms of semi-finished gold products, 250 kilograms of enriched coal containing gold particles, more than 280 tonnes of sand and ore, 230 liters of special chemical substances, laboratory equipment intended for gold extraction, special containers, gas cylinders, and other tools and equipment. All items were officially documented as material evidence.

It was also established that the organized criminal group had artificially created four pools filled with chemical substances for gold extraction and converted one hectare of land into an industrial production site.

At present, the seized materials have been sent for forensic examination, and pre-investigation checks are under way.

It is worth noting that earlier in Navoi Region, individuals were detained for illegally extracting mineral resources containing gold with a total value of 15.5 billion soums.