The key facts

  • In the Vabkent district of the Bukhara region, 1,516 counterfeit banknotes with a face value of 2,000 sums and a color printer were seized
  • Also found were 284.71 g of a substance resembling marijuana and 7 cultivated cannabis plants
  • The customs authorities have opened a criminal case; the investigation is ongoing

Operation in the Vabkent district

Officers of the anti-smuggling department of the Bukhara regional customs administration, together with other law enforcement agencies, carried out an operation in the Vabkent district of the Bukhara region. Kun.uz reports this, citing a statement from the customs authority.

What was found

During a search of the home of a person who had previously been under surveillance, counterfeit banknotes with a face value of 2,000 sums were found — 1,516 notes in total — as well as one color printer. The total face value of the counterfeit notes amounted to 3 million 32 thousand sums.

Narcotic substances and the opening of a case

In addition, during the search of the home, a substance resembling marijuana weighing 284.71 grams was found, along with 7 cultivated cannabis plants. In connection with this incident, the customs authorities have opened a criminal case and investigative actions are underway.

Context and significance

The discovery of two types of unlawful activity at once — counterfeiting money and growing narcotic plants — in a single home indicates that the operation covered several criminal offenses at the same time, which is reflected in the criminal case opened by the customs authorities. For residents of the region, this event serves as a reminder of the risk of low-denomination counterfeit banknotes in circulation. The outcome of the case will become clear once the investigation is completed; the published materials do not yet report on the fate of the detainee or possible accomplices.