State security committee detains customs officers over illegal passage of goods

Kyrgyzstan’s State Committee for National Security detained two customs inspectors in Osh over the alleged illegal passage of goods, according to the agency.

The detainees worked in the inspection group at the BİMI Osh Service customs clearance point. Authorities identified them by the initials K.U.T. and T.A.M. The case is being investigated under the criminal code article on abuse of office.

Investigators allege that the officers acted in collusion with some foreign-trade participants and accepted material rewards. They allegedly failed to carry out proper inspections and helped shipments pass with inaccurate declarations, allowing them to bypass established customs procedures and controls.

The security committee said the alleged actions caused the state major material damage. The detainees were placed in the committee’s detention facility. The investigation continues, with authorities seeking to identify other customs officials who may have been involved.