Uzbekistan Foils First Drone Drug Smuggling Attempt from Afghanistan

Uzbekistan’s State Security Service announced it thwarted an attempt to smuggle drugs from Afghanistan using a drone, describing the incident as the first publicly reported case of drug trafficking by drone along the border between the two countries.

According to a statement released Sunday by the State Security Service, border guards and police intercepted the drone in the Surkhandarya region near the Amu Darya River before it crossed into Uzbek territory.

The authorities reported seizing approximately 2.3 kilograms of opium attached to the drone and have initiated a criminal investigation into the incident, as reported by the Afghan news agency Khama Press on Sunday.

Officials indicated that unknown Afghan nationals operated the drone but did not disclose whether any suspects were arrested or provide further details about their identities or locations.

This event occurs amid Uzbekistan’s intensified efforts to bolster security along its southern border and combat drug smuggling across the frontier.

Authorities have reported multiple drug seizures in recent months, reflecting ongoing concerns about smuggling routes originating from Afghanistan.