Tengrinews.kz - A smuggling tunnel used for transporting petroleum products was uncovered in southern Kazakhstan, according to the press service of the Turkestan region Prosecutor's Office.
The tunnel, located on the Kazakh-Uzbek border, was discovered through a joint operation led by Kazakhstan's Prosecutor’s Office, the Economic Investigation Department, and the National Security Committee, in collaboration with Uzbek law enforcement authorities.
"A group of individuals constructed a 450-meter-long tunnel across the Kazakh-Uzbek border. Through this tunnel, 5-7 tons of fuel were smuggled daily. The illegal activity had been ongoing for about two months. All members of the criminal group, including Uzbek nationals, have been identified through special measures," the statement said.
Uzbek law enforcement agencies also conducted parallel operations in the border area. Authorities have traced the financial transactions from Uzbekistan related to the exported fuel.
Photo: press service of the Turkestan region Prosecutor's Office
"Members of the transnational criminal group have been detained both in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. A pre-trial investigation is currently underway," the Prosecutor's Office added.
Previously, police in Astana uncovered a major drug stash disguised as a Dyson warehouse.
