Officers of the Uzbek border service detained the Afghan citizen when he illegally entered Uzbekistan. He was carrying 24 kg of raw opium, the press centre of the Uzbek National Security Service (NSS) has told the Interfax news agency.

"The drug courier from the neighbouring country crossed the border river Amu Darya on a makeshift boat at night. A plastic bag was found on him. It was full of raw opium. Its weight was 24 kg," the press centre said.

During a preliminary investigation, the detainee confessed that he had been promised 400 dollars for smuggling the cargo.

A criminal case has been opened, an investigation is under way.