Translated with AI
An international channel for smuggling oil products, operating through an underground tunnel between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, was liquidated by security forces during a special operation, Tengrinews.kz reports with reference to the Financial Monitoring Agency.
According to the agencies, the activities of the criminal group were stopped thanks to an operation carried out under the coordination of the prosecutor's office with the participation of the AFM Department for the Turkestan Region and the National Security Committee, as well as with the assistance of law enforcement agencies of Uzbekistan.
An underground trench about 450 meters long was discovered in the border area, through which fuel and lubricants were transported. The illegal route was used to export fuel from Kazakhstan to the territory of the neighboring state.
According to the investigation, the criminal scheme operated for two months. Within its framework, sustainable logistics were built, financing from abroad was arranged, and the export of fuel and lubricants was ensured.
Law enforcement agencies of Uzbekistan simultaneously carried out similar actions on their territory. As a result of joint activities, all participants in the criminal scheme were identified, including citizens of Uzbekistan.
Five people have been charged as suspects in Kazakhstan – all of them are citizens of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The investigation has now been completed and the criminal case has been sent to court.
It should be noted that in May the government updated excise rates on gasoline and diesel fuel to eliminate the price gap with neighboring countries and minimize the risk of "gray" exports. The changes affected both wholesale and retail sales.
From March 29, 2025, Kazakhstan imposed a six-month ban on the export of gasoline and diesel fuel by road and rail. This was done in order to avoid a shortage of fuel and lubricants on the country's domestic market.
