An investigation established that the non-metallic materials illegally extracted from the riverbed were transported using special concrete structures along a newly constructed railway line connecting the Urgut District with the city of Samarkand and were stockpiled on the premises of "ZARAFSHON PROPRIETY SERVICE" LLC.

As a result of the violation, environmental damage amounting to 422,648,358,000 sums was caused. The materials collected in this case are being prepared, in accordance with established procedures, for submission to law enforcement authorities. Separately, inspection measures are being carried out by territorial internal affairs bodies regarding the placement of concrete blocks on the railway tracks.

For reference: by Presidential Decree of the Republic of Uzbekistan dated 17 January 2024, No. 14, an indefinite moratorium was imposed on the extraction of non-metallic materials from the riverbeds of the Chirchik, Sangzor, Zarafshan, Naryn, Kashkadarya and Surkhandarya rivers. The decree is aimed at protecting water bodies, preserving ecological balance and preventing disruption of the natural flow of rivers.