BISHKEK, Aug 16: Officials in Kyrgyzstan have discovered a makeshift underwater pipeline, which they say is being used to smuggle alcohol into the country from neighbouring Kazakhstan, BBC reported on its website on Friday.

The pipeline was discovered on the bed of the river Chu, which forms the border between the two countries.

The Kyrgyz officials suspect that thousands of litres of pure spirit have passed through it and launched a search for the smugglers. Local media reported that the pipeline was found just a few kilometres from a border checkpoint.