TASHKENT: Uzbekistan’s security forces have intercepted a drone used to smuggle narcotics from Afghanistan into the country’s southern Surxondaryo region, authorities said.
The State Security Service of Uzbekistan said the drone was detected near the Amu Darya River border area while unidentified individuals were attempting to transport drugs into Uzbek territory from the Afghan side.
According to officials, the suspects attached a package containing narcotics to the drone on the Afghan side of the river and attempted to fly it across the border.
A rapid response unit detected the unmanned aircraft before it reached its intended destination and prevented the smuggling attempt.
Authorities said the drone was carrying slightly more than two kilograms of opium, which was seized after the aircraft was intercepted.
The State Security Service said an investigation had been launched to identify those involved in the operation, determine the drone’s launch point, establish the intended recipient of the narcotics and uncover any possible accomplices inside Uzbekistan.
Uzbek officials said the incident marked the first reported attempt to smuggle drugs across the Afghan border using a drone, highlighting the growing use of technology by Afghanistan criminal networks involved in narcotics trafficking.
Uzbekistan has repeatedly reported seizures of drugs believed to have originated from Afghanistan since the Taliban returned to power in 2021.
The country has maintained heightened security along its southern border due to concerns over cross-border trafficking and terrorist activity.
The latest interception comes amid broader regional efforts by Central Asian states to strengthen border controls and combat organised drug-smuggling networks operating across the Afghanistan-Central Asia corridor.
