Over 15,000 drug-related crimes uncovered in Uzbekistan

More than 15,000 drug-related crimes were uncovered by law enforcement agencies in Uzbekistan in 2025. This was stated by Shavkat Mirziyoyev in his address to participants of the international forum titled “Combating Transnational Drug Threats to Ensure Public Health and Safety” on April 20.

According to the address, the drug trade is increasingly acquiring a transnational and virtual nature, intensifying existing threats. In particular, the use of encrypted communication channels, contactless interaction, and complex financial tools by criminal groups is requiring more modern solutions and approaches in combating narcotics.

“Today, the widespread distribution of new synthetic drugs, psychotropic substances, and other potent materials, especially among young people, is a matter of deep concern for all of us,” the statement said.

According to data from the United Nations, more than 300 million people worldwide are affected by drug use, and nearly 600,000 people die each year as a result.

It was noted that in the current conditions of globalization, such threats do not bypass Uzbekistan. Therefore, the country is mobilizing all available resources and efforts, turning the fight against drug abuse and drug-related crime into a nationwide movement.

In recent years, more than 20 legal acts have been adopted to strengthen interagency cooperation and develop preventive mechanisms. In particular, the adoption of a national anti-drug strategy in 2024 marked a major step forward.

As a result of these efforts, the detection rate of crimes related to illegal drug trafficking has increased 2.5 times in recent years. The volume of seized narcotics has doubled, while the amount of destroyed synthetic drugs has increased sevenfold.

“In the past year alone, law enforcement agencies uncovered more than 15,000 drug-related crimes, seized nearly 3.5 tonnes of narcotics, including 120 kilograms of synthetic drugs, and shut down 14 clandestine drug laboratories and 72 major online stores,” the statement said.

It was also noted that one-third of such crimes are committed by young people, with the main risk group consisting of individuals aged between 15 and 30.