Kyrgyzstan Detains Customs Officers over Alleged Illegal Clearance of Goods

Kyrgyzstan’s State Committee for National Security detained two customs officers in Osh over alleged illegal clearance of goods.

The officers, identified by their initials K.U.T. and T.A.M., work as inspectors in the inspection group at the BIMI Osh Service customs clearance facility. The operation was carried out jointly with the Internal Investigations Department of the State Customs Service for the southern region.

The SCNS said it opened a criminal case under the article of Kyrgyzstan’s Criminal Code concerning abuse of official position. Investigators believe the officers colluded with certain foreign economic activity participants and received financial compensation.

According to the security service, the officers deliberately failed to properly inspect transported goods and helped clear shipments containing inaccurate declarations. Their actions allegedly allowed customs procedures and controls to be bypassed and caused significant material damage to the state.

The detainees were placed in an SCNS detention center. The investigation remains ongoing, while authorities work to identify other customs officials who may have taken part in the alleged scheme.