The number of drug-related crimes is increasing in Uzbekistan

In recent years, the number of drug-related crimes in Uzbekistan has sharply increased. This was reported by Zamin.uz.

According to official data, such offenses have doubled in the last five years, while the quantity of seized synthetic substances has increased tenfold. This was stated by Sarvar Ormonov, senior inspector of the National Center for Drug Control.

In 2024 alone, over 12,000 criminal cases have been initiated, which is nearly 25 percent more compared to the previous year. According to Ormonov, the main reason for this growth is not only the intensified activity of criminal groups but also the modernization of the distribution system.

Now, drugs are distributed through messengers and social networks. Couriers mark hidden places called "zakladka" using coordinates, and payments are made online.

This system ensures anonymity and complicates surveillance for law enforcement agencies. Previously, the main threat consisted of opiates and traditional substances, but the situation has changed.

New synthetic substances such as mephedrone, spice, and A-PVP are rapidly spreading in the market. They are cheaply and quickly produced in secret laboratories, easy to transport, and have a much stronger effect.

Experts emphasize that these substances are not only inexpensive but also lead to rapid addiction. Nowadays, drug trafficking is often conducted via the internet.

Through closed channels on messengers like Telegram and Instagram, buyers pay online, and couriers place the "zakladka" at the designated location, sending photo reports. This method is safe for criminals but a complex system for state control.

Additionally, medications such as pregabalin, sibutramine, and tropicamide, which should only be sold by prescription, are widely circulated illegally. Many of them are sold online or in uncontrolled pharmacies.

In the last three years, seizures of these medications have increased several times. Experts call this a new type of addiction epidemic.

According to experts, the drug problem is not only a criminal issue but also a matter of healthcare and social security. The affordability and widespread use of synthetic substances are making them popular among young people.

This can lead to long-term negative consequences for society – the safety of a healthy generation and mental stability may be compromised. Law enforcement agencies are intensifying the fight against drugs.

However, experts believe that the problem should be addressed not only through punitive measures but also through education, prevention, and raising public awareness. Thus, the fight against drugs in Uzbekistan has entered a new phase, but the rapid spread of synthetic substances remains the main challenge on this path.

Source: zamin.uz