Thousands of Liters of Illegally Sold Fuel Uncovered in Southern Kyrgyzstan

Tax authorities in Kyrgyzstan have uncovered thousands of liters of unmarked fuel during a recent raid in the southern cities of Batken and Osh, the State Tax Service has announced. According to the agency, inspectors discovered 950 liters of unmarked diesel fuel at a gas station in Batken region and an additional 35,547 liters at an oil depot in Osh. “The total volume of unmarked fuel amounted to 950 liters in Batken Region and 35,547 liters in Osh. The materials have been forwarded to supervisory authorities for appropriate legal action,” the service commented. Mandatory fuel labeling was introduced in Kyrgyzstan on October 1, 2024, under legislation requiring both imported and domestically produced fuels to be marked with a molecular identifier. This molecular marker, provided by the State Tax Service, is added to fuel to confirm its legal origin. The system aims to combat fuel smuggling and ensure tax compliance across the oil and gas sector. Kyrgyzstan receives most of its fuel and lubricants from Russia at domestic Russian prices and without export duties. This arrangement makes fuel in Kyrgyzstan considerably cheaper than in neighboring Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, a factor that has contributed to illicit fuel trade in the region. The government’s crackdown underscores its intent to enforce tighter regulatory oversight in a sector prone to tax evasion and smuggling.