Correspondents of “Chronicles of Turkmenistan” report that in an attempt to combat illegal trade in Lebap velayat the police are trying to identify residents who sell home-made bread.
In the city of Garabekewül some unemployed and self-employed individuals who have been deprived of the opportunity to make a living because of coronavirus restrictions, are making and selling bread and baked goods.
Police officers in civilian clothes and unmarked vehicles cruise residential neighborhoods. If they regularly spot people leaving the same house with bags it is most likely that they have bought bread.
The police detain one customer who is urged to write an explanatory statement of where and when flat bread was bought and also disclose the name of the vendor, the price and the quantity. Following this, a baker is questioned and the police report is drawn up
A fine of 4500 manats is imposed for the first violation. The bread maker is warned that he will face an administrative arrest of 15 days for the second violation, and criminal charges will be initiated for further violations with a possible imprisonment term of 6 to 12 months.
Law enforcement officers are particularly interested in local flour found during these raids. Bakers are questioned how they had acquired. If several sacks of flour are identified during the search, the police threaten to initiate embezzlement charges.
A month ago correspondents of “Chronicles of Turkmenistan” reported that state-run bakeries illegally sell to individuals flour allocated for making bread for state-run stores.
In order to avoid being caught, a buyer and seller make prior arrangements to meet at a сertain place.
This is how bread is sold in Chardjou, Khalach and Dyaenev etraps of the eastern province, which is experiencing a shortage of flour.The post Lebap police search for and fine home bakers first appeared on Chronicles of Turkmenistan.