Operatives of Uzbekistan’s State Security Service, in collaboration with customs authorities, have uncovered a large criminal group engaged in the production and distribution of counterfeit medicines. During the investigation, it was revealed that the criminals had set up an underground laboratory in the Namangan region, where significant amounts of falsified medical products were being produced, including «Zodak,» «Anaferon,» «Vitamin B6,» «Hilak Forte,» and others.

The operation to apprehend the criminals began on January 30, when a paramedic from the Chartak district was stopped while attempting to transport a batch of counterfeit medicines from his home in a «Cobalt» vehicle. Inside the car, 1,000 packages of «Zodak» without any documentation were found.

It was discovered that the paramedic intended to send the medicines to the Andijan region for sale. During further searches at his home, an underground laboratory was found, where counterfeit drugs were being produced and stored. These included popular medications such as «Anaferon,» «Zodak,» «Vitamin B6,» and «Hilak Forte.» Several thousand packages of counterfeit drugs, along with bottles, caps, packaging, and instructions for further production, were seized.

Investigators paid special attention to the fact that the paramedic was not acting alone but had involved his sister and a relative in the criminal activity. The investigation revealed that labels, bottles, and other components for producing counterfeit medicines were being supplied from Andijan. It was also found that a resident of Kokand was involved in the distribution of these homemade drugs. During a search of his residence, over 150 packages of counterfeit «Zodak» and 146 packages of «Hilak Forte» were seized.

The criminal network turned out to be quite extensive, with products from the underground laboratory being sold not only in Andijan but also in other cities across the country. Among the participants in the criminal group was a medical university student who assisted in the sale of counterfeit drugs.

The Yangikurgan District Court on Criminal Cases has sentenced all members of the criminal group. The paramedic and the Andijan resident who supplied him with raw materials were sentenced to 5 years and 6 months of imprisonment. Four other members of the group received 2 years of imprisonment each.

All the counterfeit medicines seized as evidence were destroyed.

The text has been translated by AI. For more accurate information, please refer to the Russian version of the article.