Uzbekistan’s State Security Service (DXX) and Interior Ministry (IIV) say they have broken up an organized criminal group accused of trafficking human organs and tissues.
According to investigators, the group consisted of 12 individuals from Tashkent city and the regions of Tashkent, Fergana, Bukhara, and Kashkadarya. Using social media platforms, members allegedly sought out patients suffering from kidney and liver diseases while recruiting healthy citizens willing to sell their organs in exchange for large payments.
Authorities say the scheme relied on contacts abroad who helped falsify identity documents. These papers portrayed unrelated donors as relatives of recipients, enabling surgeries to be performed in a private clinic in a neighboring country.
Between 2023 and 2025, the network allegedly facilitated 32 transplants involving kidneys or liver tissue. A portion of the substantial sums paid by patients went to the private clinic and to donors, while the remainder was divided among the organizers, investigators said.
The operation also extended to the sale of strong medications. According to authorities, patients whose health did not improve after surgery were sold powerful painkillers at inflated prices.
Criminal proceedings have been launched against the members of the group. The case has been forwarded to court for review.