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Tengrinews.kz – Kazakh security forces have uncovered a sophisticated underground tunnel used to smuggle fuel across the Kazakhstan–Uzbekistan border, according to the Financial Monitoring Agency (FMA).
The illicit operation was dismantled during a special operation coordinated by the Prosecutor’s Office with the participation of the FMA's Turkistan Regional Department, the National Security Committee (NSC), and law enforcement agencies from Uzbekistan.
Authorities discovered a concealed trench nearly 450 meters long, used to transport petroleum products from Kazakhstan into neighboring Uzbekistan. The route served as a secret corridor for fuel trafficking, with smuggling operations allegedly active for two months.
Investigators said the group behind the scheme had developed a stable logistics chain, secured foreign funding, and established a steady flow of fuel shipments through the tunnel.
Uzbek law enforcement conducted a parallel crackdown on their side of the border, helping identify all members of the network, including Uzbek nationals.
Five suspects — all Kazakh citizens — have been charged in Kazakhstan. The investigation has concluded, and the case has been sent to court.
The government of Kazakhstan had previously raised fuel excise taxes in May to reduce cross-border price disparities and combat so-called "grey exports". The changes affected both wholesale and retail fuel markets.
