U.S. Ambassador to Uzbekistan Jonathan Henick presented 50 CT-40 inspection tool kits valued at over $700,000 to the Customs Committee of Uzbekistan. Chairman Akmalhoja Mavlonov accepted the equipment on behalf of the Committee.
The equipment purchased by the Department of State’s Nonproliferation and Disarmament Fund, with support from the Export Control and Border Security (EXBS) program, will be used for thorough inspection of vehicles to protect against efforts to transit or transport contraband across Uzbekistan’s borders, as well as to detect and interdict trafficked commodities. U.S. experts will conduct two training courses for Uzbekistani users of CT-40 kits following the donation, the embassy reported.
“Since 2001, our two countries have been integral partners in preventing the spread of dangerous nuclear, biological, chemical and radiological materials, as well as strengthening the related border security. Today we are glad to celebrate another milestone in our security cooperation and we hope this donation will enhance the Uzbekistan Customs Committee’s capabilities to protect the borders of the country,” Ambassador Henick said.
This donation is the latest example of the United States’ and Uzbekistan’s joint efforts to combat smuggling of weapons of mass destruction and trafficking of narcotics and goods via Central Asia. Since 2022, the United States has provided 50 Toyota Hilux and Fortuner SUVs, valued at $2.25 million, and 225 FLIR thermal monoculars, valued at over $600,000, to the Border Troops of the State Security Service of Uzbekistan.
