Drone Carrying Opium from Afghanistan Intercepted in Uzbekistan’s Surkhandarya Region
Uzbekistani media have reported that a drone carrying two kilograms and 32 grams of opium was intercepted and stopped in the Surkhandarya region after entering from Afghanistan. This area lies near the Amu Darya River and shares a border with Afghanistan.
According to the Uzbek outlet Zemlya Uzbek, the drone was headed toward Surkhandarya but was detected by security forces before reaching its destination. The discovery and interception operation was carried out in cooperation with the State Security Service, border forces, and interior affairs agencies of Uzbekistan.
The report further states that law enforcement agencies have launched an extensive investigation to identify those involved in the case. Official sources confirm that a criminal case has been opened, and inquiries are ongoing to determine the drone’s launch point, identify the potential recipient of the narcotics, and uncover any accomplices.
In recent years, there have been multiple incidents of drug trafficking from Afghanistan to neighboring countries, including Uzbekistan. This event occurs amid repeated claims by the Taliban administration of combating drug cultivation, production, and trafficking within Afghanistan. Nonetheless, the persistence of such incidents raises questions about the actual control over border areas and the effectiveness of the measures announced by the Taliban authorities.
