Drug smuggling group reportedly revealed by security services in Uzbekistan

Drug smuggling group reportedly revealed by security services in Uzbekistan
A drug smuggling group has been revealed by the security service agents in Uzbekistan, according to an Uzbek TV programme broadcast on 16 January. The unscheduled programme detailed the activities of the group which was accused of smuggling Tajik drugs into Russia via Uzbekistan, online paper UzReport says
"Of late, Uzbekistan's law-enforcement agencies have been uncovering frequent attempts to smuggle drugs from Tajikistan into Uzbekistan. In particular, operations held at the Tashkent international airport in August-September 2008 by officers from the National Security Service and customs service uncovered the activities of a criminal group, which consisted mainly of women and residents of [central Uzbek] Tashkent Region's Bekobod District [bordering Tajikistan]. It was established that several Uzbek nationals had become accomplices of a Tajik national named Anvar, whose identity was not established during the investigation, and regularly smuggled heroin into the Russian capital Moscow for money. They would get $1,000- $3,000 for taking the drug to the destination," the program said.
It also showed suspected members of the criminal group - two men and several women - being questioned by security officers. One of those accused said that he agreed to take Tajik drugs to Russia, as he needed money. Several Uzbek women were involved in this dirty business, some by deceit and some wittingly, the program said.
Tajik national encouraged his accomplices to recruit more female smugglers, as they were not checked by law-enforcement agencies as often as men, and would "give up to $400 for [recruiting] one smuggler after the drugs were taken to Russia", the program added. It also warned viewers not to be lured by Tajik drug dealers.
"It is known that Tajik drug dealers are attempting to set up a permanent drug transit route via our country and regularly use it. It is a great pity that they use Uzbek nationals' services in taking drugs to the destination, and especially that there are Uzbek women among drug smugglers. The worst thing is that they still keep involving our fellow countrymen living in border areas in this job and pursuing their goals using their services," the program said.