On the Kazakh-Uzbek border, law enforcement officers stopped the activity of a criminal group and dismantled a tunnel intended for smuggling petroleum products.
According to the press service of the Turkestan Region Prosecutor's Office, smuggled fuel and lubricants, with a volume of 5-7 tonnes, were transported daily through the tunnel, which is 450 metres long. The illegal activity continued for about two months.
"Special operations have identified all members of the criminal group, including citizens of Uzbekistan. Similar measures were carried out by the law enforcement agencies of Uzbekistan in the border zone of the state border," the statement said.
In addition, prosecutors uncovered a scheme for transferring money from the neighbouring country for the exported fuel.
"Members of the transnational criminal group, both on the territory of Kazakhstan and on the territory of Uzbekistan, have been detained. A pre-trial investigation is currently underway," the agency concluded.