This article provides a criminal law analysis of cases involving smuggling and other criminal activities committed through the use of illegally constructed underground facilities and tunnels crossing the State border. The relevance of the study is determined by the increasing number of smuggling cases carried out through unlawfully constructed underground tunnels across the State border.

The author examines the proposed amendments to Articles 182 and 223 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan, explains the legal nature of the newly proposed Article 223¹ establishing an independent corpus delicti, analyzes the distinctions between its three parts, discusses the application of the active repentance exemption, and considers the rules governing the legal qualification of cumulative offences. The article also includes a brief comparative analysis of the legislation of several foreign countries. Finally, conclusions and recommendations are presented regarding the significance of these legislative innovations for strengthening State border security and improving the effectiveness of law enforcement agencies.

State border, border security, smuggling, underground facilities, tunnel, criminal liability, cumulative offences, active repentance, Criminal Code, customs control.

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