National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan

The violation was detected during a routine inspection conducted in the Uzbekkenti mahalla of Samarkand District, Samarkand Region. During the operation, inspectors identified a group of individuals illegally extracting sand and gravel aggregate from the Karadarya riverbed using an excavator that was not fitted with state registration plates. The investigation established that the extracted material was being loaded onto a HOWO dump truck bearing the state registration number 30 935 GBA.

As the illegally extracted material was being transported from the site, Eco Police officers stopped the vehicle. In accordance with established procedures, the truck and its load of sand and gravel aggregate were impounded and transferred to a designated vehicle impound facility.

The unlawful activities were found to be in violation of Article 18 of the Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan "On Nature Protection", Article 31 of the Law "On Subsoil"and Article 41 of the Law "On Protected Natural Areas". The environmental damage caused by the violation has been assessed at 4,764,576,000 sums.

The case materials have been referred to the competent law enforcement authorities for further action in accordance with the applicable legislation.