Over 4,000 detained for drug offenses in Uzbekistan in half a year

In the first half of this year, 4,195 individuals were detained in Uzbekistan for crimes related to the illegal trafficking of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances. This was announced at a press conference held at the Agency for Information and Mass Communications with the participation of the leadership of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

It was reported that among the detainees, a total of 1 ton and 882 kilograms of narcotic drugs, as well as 894,255 units of potent pharmaceutical drugs, were confiscated.

From January 15 to February 15, a preventive campaign titled “Safe and Healthy Capital” was carried out in Tashkent. More than 2 million citizens took part in over 50,000 awareness events. In total, more than 838,000 informational booklets and flyers were distributed.

Individual preventive conversations were held with 165,998 schoolchildren and students to explain the harmful effects of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.

During the campaign, 801 cases of illegal trafficking were identified. As a result, 567 criminal cases were initiated and 158 administrative penalties were issued.

Authorities seized 21.8 kilograms of narcotic drugs, 28,800 pills, and 26 kilograms of other potent substances from illegal circulation.

Additionally, 1,323 pieces of "narcograffiti" advertising online drug shops were identified and removed. Six individuals responsible for the graffiti were detained and held accountable.

Of the individuals brought to the attention of law enforcement agencies, 266 were sent for compulsory treatment and 235 opted for voluntary rehabilitation.

Search and monitoring operations have been intensified to detect and disrupt individuals using social media for drug trafficking. As a result, 99 kilograms and 627 grams of narcotics were seized from 75 so-called “bookmarkers.”

It is worth noting that earlier this year, five citizens were detained in the Tashkent region for trafficking narcotics via Telegram.